A man who claimed he was forced to smuggle cocaine into Jersey after being threatened by Albanian criminals to clear a drug debt has been jailed for more than six years.
Robert Martin Allan, 37, claimed he acted as a drugs courier only after he and his family were targeted in Scotland, but was sentenced by the Royal Court to six years and nine months’ imprisonment for importing almost 100 grams of cocaine into the island.
Allan was stopped by Customs officers at Jersey Airport on 18 September 2025 after arriving on a flight from Glasgow.
Officers became suspicious when Allan said he had booked a one-way ticket, intended to stay for only two days, did not know anyone on the Island and had not arranged any accommodation.
He told officers he had come to Jersey looking for a “good night out”.
During questioning, Allan admitted he was a regular cannabis user and said he had used cocaine around two weeks earlier. Swabs taken from his belongings – including his mobile phone, vape and backpack – later tested positive for traces of cocaine.
An initial search of Allan revealed nothing, but he was arrested later that afternoon and taken into custody. A scan carried out at the hospital revealed seven objects concealed internally.
Over the following two days, Customs officers witnessed Allan produce seven packages wrapped in plastic. Analysis confirmed they contained cocaine with a combined weight of 98.56 grams and a purity of between 86% and 90%.
The drugs were valued at between £15,000 and £25,000.
It is not uncommon to encounter individuals importing drugs to clear their debts, but their involvement is no less accountable
Jersey Customs and Immigration Service senior manager Paul Le Monnier
In interview, Allan claimed he had been coerced into acting as a courier after being threatened by Albanian criminals in Scotland.
He told officers that he had built up a drug debt as a result of his frequent cocaine use and was instructed to smuggle the drugs in order to clear it.
Allan said he believed his family had been targeted, claiming a window was smashed at the home of his former partner, where his child lived.
He said he had been directed to travel to Jersey and meet an unknown individual at the Royal Yacht Hotel, but claimed he did not know how much cocaine he was carrying.
Allan first appeared in the Magistrate’s Court the day after his arrest and later pleaded guilty to importing cocaine on 22 September 2025. The case was deemed too serious to be dealt with in the lower court and was sent to the Royal Court for sentencing.
The court heard Allan had 24 previous convictions for a range of offences, although this was his first conviction for a drug offence.
Bailiff Robert MacRae was presiding with Jurats Robert Christensen, Elizabeth Dulake, Alison Opfermann, Michael Entwistle, and Michael Berry.
Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho was prosecuting, with Advocate Allana Binnie defending Allan.
Following the sentencing, senior manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service senior manager Paul Le Monnier said: “Drug importations cause serious harm to our community and fuel organised crime.
“It is not uncommon to encounter individuals importing drugs to clear their debts, but their involvement is no less accountable, and they should expect to receive severe sentences for their role.”
Anyone with information on drug smuggling is urged to report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555.