A gang of eight men, six of whom are from Jersey, have been jailed for a total of 63 years for importing cannabis and heroin into the island with a combined street value of around £900,000.
A surveillance operation called 'Raven' was set up in September 2017 to target a UK organised crime group importing drugs into Jersey.
Raids on a house and garage in First Tower and another house in St Clement recovered 40kg of cannabis resin and 405g of heroin. Large amounts of cash were also seized.
The men were arrested over a total of 10 months in a joint operation with Merseyside Police, which resulted in the 8 men being charged and convicted in Jersey's Royal Court today.
The Cannabis Gang
- David Arrowsmith, 57 from Jersey – 4 years 6 months
- John O’Connor, 61 from Liverpool – 7 years 6 months
- Neil Andrew Heskin, 39 from Liverpool – 7 years 6 months
- Norman Templeton-Brown, 54 from Jersey – 5 years 9 months
- Paul Howes, 59 from Jersey – 3 years 2 months
The Heroin Gang
- John Anthony Banach, 49 from Jersey – 10 years 6 months
- Simon Reeves, 52 from Jersey – 7 years 6 months
The only man associated with both operations was 47 year old Alan James Smitton, who was sentenced to a total of 17 years.
Smitton, Heskin and O'Connor have all previously served long sentences for similar offences.
"Illegal drugs have a devastating impact on society, with the most vulnerable often suffering disproportionately. The men sentenced today have repeatedly sought to profit from the misery of others. They have acted with a sense of impunity and shown little or no remorse for their actions.
"They considered Jersey to be a soft target; nothing could be further from the truth." - Acting Chief Inspector Craig Jackson
Draft law scraps time limits on abortions in Jersey
Divide over approach to gender guidance in schools
Three charities awarded £500 grants in community campaign
Ministers back principle of social media 'restrictions' for under 16s
Passengers rerouted through Jersey Airport departures
A total ban on disposable vapes in Guernsey and Jersey is poised to take full effect
Islanders with COVID-19 symptoms reminded to avoid the hospital
2025 was the fourth warmest year on record
Comments
Add a comment