53-year-old Brit jailed 11 years for £750,000 cocaine smuggling attempt

Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 13:47

David Paul Rhodes has been jailed for 11 years for an attempt to smuggle £750,000 worth of cocaine into Jersey on Valentine's Weekend.

The 53-year-old hid three kilos of the class A drug under the rear seat of his car before catching the ferry from Portsmouth to Jersey on 15 February 2025.

He told Customs and Immigration officers that he originally planned to come to Jersey as a getaway with his girlfriend.

However, they argued on Valentine's Day, so he went without her, as she chose to stay behind, and would be returning to the UK the following Tuesday (18 February 2025).

Rhodes also told officers that he borrowed the grey Nissan Juke he was driving from a friend for the trip away.

53-year-old David Paul Rhodes

Despite this, the car was searched, with help from a drug detector dog, which indicated there were substances in the vehicle.

Customs and Immigration further inspected the car and found white powder concealed in vacuumed bags under one of the rear passenger seats.

When asked, Rhodes denied knowledge and declined to comment during questioning.

After some time, the 53-year-old pleaded guilty to his offences.

Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, says in Jersey terms, this was a significant seizure of cocaine destined for our streets.

"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.