Disposal of vessel used to import controlled drugs

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A decision made on 22 November 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2017-0084
Decision Summary Title :	Disposal of Sea Fox vessel and dinghy		Date of Decision Summary:	13 November 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Gary Le Neveu, Assistant Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Disposal of Sea Fox vessel and dinghy		Date of Written Report:	13 November 2017
Written Report Author:	Gary Le Neveu, Assistant Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Disposal of vessel and associated dinghy used to import controlled drugs into Jersey.
Decision(s): The Minister authorised disposal of the vessel and dinghy by public auction.
Reason(s) for Decision: The vessel and dinghy, having been used to import cannabis resin into Jersey on 21 April 2017, was seized on 25 April 2017 under Article 54 of the Customs and Excise (Jersey) Law, 1999. Article 55 of the Law empowers the Minister to direct how any vessel condemned as forfeited is disposed of.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Assistant Director to arrange for vessel and dinghy’s disposal.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Disposal of vessel used to import controlled drugs

Decision Summary Report

Community and Constitutional Affairs

Customs and Immigration Service

To: Assistant Minister for Home Affairs

Submitted by: Gary Le Neveu, Assistant Director

Date: 13 November 2017

Subject: Disposal of Sea Fox vessel and SunSport dinghy

Background

The above vessel and associated dinghy were used in connection with the importation of 26 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, with an approximate maximum street value of £450,000 into Jersey on 21 April 2017.

The vessel and dinghy were seized by the Customs and Immigration Service on 25 April 2017 under Article 54 of the Customs and Excise (Jersey) Law, 1999. No notice of claim has been made in connection with the seizure and the vessel and dinghy are deemed to have been duly condemned as forfeited in accordance with the 3rd Schedule of the 1999 Law.

Article 55 of the Law empowers the Minister to direct the manner of disposal of the vessel and dinghy. The Sea Fox vessel is a 7 metre open sports cruiser, equipped with a 300HP Mercury outboard engine and 20HP Honda auxiliary outboard engine. Although the vessel’s condition is believed to be sound, its main outboard engine is not in working order and requires repair.

Notwithstanding the condition of the main engine, it is considered that the Sea Fox vessel and associated dinghy have a significant residual value.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Sea Fox vessel and dinghy are sold by public auction and that the monies received, net of auctioneer’s fees, should be paid to the general revenue of the States of Jersey and Goods and Services Tax accounted for appropriately.