A 33-year-old man has been jailed for 11 years after over 600 grams of cocaine and almost 3,000 ecstasy pills were found in a Christmas Tree box in his loft.

Kieron Michael Begley was arrested in August after drug squad officers searched his house.

Multiple small quantities of cocaine were found in the living room, and over 300 ecstasy pills were concealed inside a boxing glove alongside digital scales and around £1,400 in Jersey £50 notes.

A search of Begley’s loft revealed a large block of cocaine weighing 663 grams, concealed in a Christmas Tree box, along with a bag containing almost 3,000 MDMA pills.

Officers also found packaging and drug-related paraphernalia consistent with large-scale supply.

In total, the combined estimated street value of the seized drugs was up to £250,000.

Begley pleaded guilty to all charges in his first appearance in the Magistrate’s Court. The case was referred to the Royal Court for Sentencing, and he was remanded in custody.

During this time, Begley’s financial accounts and mobile phone were analysed which showed his involvement in the supply of drugs.

Advocate Ian Jones, defending, said the court should take into account a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and said the pre-sentence report wrongly criticised his client.

He said Begley had previously left prison and been rehabilitated but had recently gone through “extreme difficulties and tragedies”.

“He is simply saying the reason I have got myself into this position and the reason I’m here is because I have got a drug taking habit and I can’t control it,” the advocate said.

Advocate Jones pointed to a strong support system, including his family who were in court.

“These people have stood by Mr Begley,” he said.

He added that prisoners sentenced to nine years or less are eligible for more programmes.

Begley was yesterday sentenced by the superior number of the Royal Court to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment.

Drug squad supervisor Detective Sergeant Jim McGranahan said: “This operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling serious drug crime in Jersey.

“The quantity and value of drugs seized represent a significant disruption to the supply chain.

“We will not stop in our pursuit of tackling drugs in Jersey and bringing offenders to justice.”