Street dealer who gave cocaine to friends sent behind bars

Thursday 10 February 2022

A 25-year-old street dealer, who supplied 61g of cocaine and ecstasy to friends, has been jailed for five years.

Charlie James Roy was sentenced by the Royal Court on Thursday for two counts of supplying the Class A drugs, as well as one of supplying amphetamine and one of possessing cannabis, which are both Class B drugs.

Roy, an apprentice blocklayer who was born in the Isle of Wight, was initially arrested last March after police officers searched his St. Helier flat and seized a commercial quantity of amphetamine, along with a small quantity of cannabis.

Data extracted from his phone during the investigation showed evidence that since 2020, he had been involved in the supply of MDMA, cocaine and Amphetamine with an approximate street value of £8,000.

Crown Advocate Richard Pedley told the Court that Roy could be best be described as “a local supplier involved in the commercial supply of multi-gram deals”.

“He appears to have used a similar method of supply to the same cohort of users but selling drugs to friends is still selling drugs commercially,” he said.

“Phone messages provided evidence of supplying 17g of cocaine and 44g of MDMA powder over a six-month period, which is a substantial amount of Class A drugs.

“The total of the drugs was between £6,370 and £8,300.”

Defending Roy, Advocate Luke Sette said that his client had sold drugs to fund his own use of them but he had made positive strides to stop using drugs and had removed himself from contact with drug users. 

“He withdrew from social media and had tried to distance himself from the negative aspects in life,” he said. “The fact he did this before being charged demonstrates that this chapter of his life was already coming to a close.

“While in prison, Mr Roy has understood that he has made a significant and grave error and he would like to assure the Court that it will not be repeated.

“He still may have a promising future ahead and he has a supportive partner and her family, who see the good in him. 

“This part of his life is behind him.”

Passing sentence, Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae said: “This Court’s policy when it comes to dealing in Class A drugs is strict.

“It needs to be to deter you and others supplying drugs that cause severe addiction, perpetrate other criminal activity and can kill.”

However, the judge, who was sitting with Jurats Jerry Ramsden, Jane Ronge and Gareth Hughes, said the Court did take account of “impressive” letters written to the court by Roy, his girlfriend, her parents and his employer.

He added: “We have also heard that you accept that you fully intend never to repeat errors, you have a promising future and this will never happen again.”

After sentencing, Det Sgt Jim McGranahan, who heads up the Drug Squad, said: “Almost all of the investigations we carry out concerning drugs are complex and time consuming.

“We continue to work together with the Law Officers’ Department to ensure that the hard work put into each operation pays off and we keep illegal drugs and those who deal in the misery these drugs bring off our island’s streets.”