The value of drugs seized by the Guernsey Border Agency increased by around 450% last year after tens-of-thousands of grams of ketamine were detected.
The total value of seizures last year almost topped £2m – up from £356,632 last year and £690,240 in 2022 – according to the latest statistics.
The spike was mostly due to 18.3kg of the Class B ketamine being found at a value of £1.65m.
Meanwhile, the value of Class A and Class C drugs fell significantly compared to 2023.
The volume of cocaine and MDMA seizures fell sharply, as it also did for steroids and prescription drugs such as diazepam and pregabalin.
The combined total of cannabis products increased last year from around 2.5kg to 5.35kg – although this is much lower than in previous years before the introduction and expansion of the medical cannabis market.
But these cases continued to take up much of the Border Agency’s time last year with over three quarters of investigations drug related.
Bailiwick Law Enforcement noted in its annual report that several drug seizures made last year were not intended for the Guernsey market and were being “transhipped” through the island.
Those cases involved ketamine and herbal cannabis.
“These seizures were identified being transhipped through this jurisdiction and were found concealed in clothing and various items of office equipment. The Guernsey Border Agency is liaising with other jurisdictions on these matters,” the report says.
“A notable seizure made during 2024 was undertaken by two individuals using a vehicle. Packages were found concealed within the spare wheel of the vehicle. These were found to contain Herbal Cannabis and also ‘Vimto’ sweet bars. The sweet bars were analysed and found to contain Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive element of Cannabis, and a Class A controlled drug.
“In total the bars contained 768.21 grams of the drug. The Herbal Cannabis weighed 143.95 grams. The individuals were sentenced to 10 years 6 months, and 6 years 6 months for their involvement in the importation.”
