12 October 2022
Three couriers have been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for the attempted importation of cocaine into Jersey.
On Wednesday 1 June 2022, 20-year-old Liverpool resident Elijah Silbourne arrived in Jersey via the
ferry from Poole. On arrival he was stopped and questioned by officers from the Jersey Customs
and Immigration Service (JCIS) and the vehicle he was driving was searched. During the search a
kilo of cocaine was discovered which had been concealed in the spare wheel-well within the boot
of the vehicle.
Elijah Silbourne received a six-year sentence.
This is one of the largest single seizures of cocaine made in the Island. The cocaine was of high
purity and is estimated to have a street value of between £120,000 and £225,000.
On Thursday 21 July 2022, 37-year-old Liverpool resident Lawrence Mitchell arrived on a flight from
Liverpool and was questioned by JCIS officers. A subsequent search revealed he had an internal
concealment of drugs. 16 packages were recovered from Lawrence Mitchell which contained 112
grams of cocaine and he has been given a sentence of seven years.
The cocaine was of high purity and is estimated to have a street value of between £13,400 and
£26,600.
On Wednesday 3 August 2022 Manchester resident Rosie Massay (25) arrived in Jersey on a flight
from Birmingham and was stopped and spoken to by JCIS officers. A subsequent search found 105
grams of cocaine in the pocket of the clothes she was wearing. Rosie Massey received a seven-year
sentence for her part in the importation.
The cocaine was of high purity and is estimated to have a street value of between £12,600 and
£23,000.
Luke Goddard, Senior Manager at JCIS said: “These attempted importations demonstrate how the
Island is being targeted by criminal organisations. The diligent work of JCIS Officers has disrupted
their activities. The sentences of the courts reflects the seriousness of these offences and sends out
an appropriate message to those involved.”
Anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555.
gov.je