Porsche driver admits £1.6m drugs haul

Saturday 22 September 2018

After attempting to bring in over 60kg of drugs worth £1.6million into the island in his Porsche, an elderly man has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at the end of this year.

James Rice (69) appeared in the Royal Court this morning and admitted to stashing large quantities of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA in his Porsche which were found after he travelled from St Malo to Jersey this summer.

A search of Rice’s Porsche Cayenne revealed 59kg of cannabis resin, 1kg of cocaine and 3.2kg of MDMA, after he arrived in the island on the Condor Rapide from St Malo in June. 

Rice was represented in court by Advocate Jane Grace who informed the Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq that he would be entering guilty pleas to all three of the charges brought against him.

Pictured: Over 60kg of drugs were found in 69-year-old James Rice's Porsche after he arrived from St Malo on the ferry. (Customs and Immigration)

As Rice has entered guilty pleas to all three charges of importing controlled substances, he will continue to be held in custody until he is sentenced on 12 December. 

The drugs had a combined commercial value of £1.6million, which is over half of the £3.01million value of drugs seized in total last year.