“Premier florist in Jersey” admits importing crystal meth into island

Saturday 05 September 2020

A well-known Jersey florist has admitted importing crystal meth into the island.

Mark Howe (49) appeared in the Royal Court on Friday, where he admitted nine charges of importing various drugs, the most serious being methylamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth.

Howe was remanded in custody until 8 December, when he will be sentenced.

The Northern Ireland-born florist admitted importing a total of 55g of crystal meth and 1g of cocaine, which are both Class A drugs. 

He also pleaded guilty to importing other banned drugs, including Diazepam - which is commonly known as Valium, Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid - a party drug known as GHB, and Zopiclone - a powerful sedative.

The offences all took place between 1 January 2018 and 31 October 2019.

Howe was arrested by Customs Officers at the Airport on 5 November last year, when drugs were found in his luggage. Previously, however, on 20 September, drugs had been found in mail addressed to Howe that officers had intercepted. 

Pictured: Howe was arrested by Customs officers at the Airport.

Examining his phone after arrest, Customs officers were able to identify 30 importations that had arrived through the post over a 20-month period to Howe’s home and work address.

The Crown accept that the drugs were for personal use and not to sell on.

Howe’s lawyer, Advocate Mike Preston, argued on Friday that his client should be granted bail before sentencing.

“Since his arrest, Mr Howe has been on bail and complied with all conditions,” he said. “More than that, during that period of time he has managed to turn his life around. 

“Having fallen prey to addiction, after suffering tragic events in life, he has managed to use the time more than productively, and he has been abstinent since last November.

“In fact, when he was first apprehended at the Airport, he actually expressed happiness at being caught, as it gave him the opportunity to turn his life around.

“His remarkable recovery from addiction could be negatively impacted if he is remanded in custody.”

Pictured: Advocate Mike Preston defended Mark Howe.

Advocate Preston also argued that Howe needed time to put his affairs in order before a potential custodial sentence in December.

“He has built up an extraordinarily successful business and he has become the premier florist in Jersey. People buy Mark Howe flowers because of Mark Howe and what he brings to weddings, charity balls and other events.

“But the fact that he is a florist means he has suffered dramatically this year because of covid. This Christmas is an opportunity to salvage some of that lost business and it is vital he is there to get things in order. He is central to the way the whole business operates.”

Crown Advocate Emma Hollywood objected to bail arguing that it was the Court’s policy that when a custodial sentence is likely, bail should only be given in exceptional circumstances, which did not exist in this case.

“He has had 10 months to put his affairs in order, covid aside,” she said. “Also, these are incredibly serious offences and the defendant has lived in the island long enough to be aware of Jersey’s drug polices.

“Also, when it comes to recovering from addiction, the prison has the facilities to allow one-to-one meetings with various agencies, such as the Drug and Alcohol Service and Silkworth Lodge. If they didn’t, everyone addicted to drugs would have the same argument. That view just doesn't hold water.”

Commissioner William Bailhache, who was sitting with Jurats Thomas and Hughes, rejected the bail application and Howe, who was wearing a navy-blue suit and tie, was led away into custody.