29 May 2025
A 53-year-old man has been sentenced by the Royal Court to 11 years’ imprisonment for attempting to import three kilograms of cocaine, hidden under the rear seat of the vehicle he was driving.
The street value of the cocaine seized was £750,000.
On Saturday 15 February 2025, David Paul RHODES from Bromley, travelled to Jersey from Portsmouth onboard the Condor Islander, driving a grey Nissan Juke.
When stopped and questioned by Jersey Customs and Immigration Officers, he stated that he was visiting until the following Tuesday, having originally booked to travel with his girlfriend. Following an argument on Valentine's Day, he said she had elected not to travel.
The vehicle that RHODES was travelling in belonged to a long-term friend who agreed to allow him to borrow the vehicle to travel to Jersey.
A search of the vehicle was carried out, with the aid of a drug detector dog, which provided positive drug indications within the vehicle. Officers quickly discovered six vacuum sealed packages containing a white powder concealed beneath the rear seat of the vehicle. When RHODES was shown the packages, he denied knowing what they were.
During interview he declined to provide any comment but later pleaded guilty to the offence.
Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, said: “In Jersey terms this was a significant seizure of cocaine destined for our streets and undoubtedly the seizure of this quantity of drugs has hurt the pockets of those concerned in organising the importation.”
Anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555.
gov.je