Five young people sentenced for Jersey drug network involving children

Monica Nobrega, Elijah McManus, Joseph James Barratt, Rory Ribeiro and Malibu Brennan have been sentenced to a combined almost 10 years for their involvement in a major UK county lines drugs network.

The group ran some of the operations in Jersey, organising for Class A and B drugs to be delivered to addresses and how they would be moved around the island.

This involved quantities of MDMA, cannabis, cocaine and ketamine sent in parcels weighing around 1.7kg, disguised as cuddly bears and other toys.

Jersey Customs and Immigration Senior Manager Luke Goddard says the Post Office receives thousands and thousands of parcels daily, but JCIS officers only have to get lucky once for the network to collapse.

"It was one (parcel) amongst a number of others that we had seized at the Post Office. A few of the others we could identify were involved in the groups we already knew about.

"It's not the biggest island in the world, so if you've got youngsters receiving commercial amounts of cannabis, you know that individual won't be doing it for themselves.

"It didn't take much to start bringing it together."

The multi-agency investigation seized £183,317 worth of Class A and B drugs from parcels addressed to children in Jersey, some as young as 12, who were groomed, bribed and threatened to work for the network (further story to follow)

However, from evidence found on mobile phones, it is estimated that this particular UK network was responsible for smuggling around £1.8 million worth of drugs into the island.

This included MDMA, cannabis and cannabis resins, ketamine and amphetamine ('Netflix').

Monica Nobrega, Elijah McManus and Rory Ribeiro were charged over the importation and supply of drugs, Joseph Barratt with supply and possessing property bought with drugs money, including a Rolex watch, and Malibu Brennan was charged with criminal possession.

The group were sentenced as follows:

• Elijah McManus: 3 years in prison,
• Rory Ribeiro: 2 years in prison,
• Joseph Barratt: 2.5 years in prison,
• Malibu Brennan: 100 hours of community service, or 4 months in prison,
• Monica Nobrega: 2 years in prison.

Home Affairs and Justice Minister Mary Le Hegarat says these sentencings conclude a major and unique investigation which has involved multiple agencies and many hours of detailed work since 2023.

"I commend colleagues at both the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service and States of Jersey Police, and all involved who worked with them to bring this complex case to court.

"The work undertaken covered not only criminal aspects, ensuring criminal activity was interrupted at all levels, but also, importantly, safeguarding young people in Jersey.

"I hope islanders are reassured by the work which takes place on a daily basis by both the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service and States of Jersey Police to ensure they are kept safe, and ensure that whenever possible, people responsible for committing crimes are brought to justice.

"I thank the colleagues who make up these services for all they do, and everyone who works with them."

Mohammed Babrul Hussain. Photo supplied by Jersey Police.

The criminal network is linked to Mohammed Babrul Hussain, who was jailed in September 2024 for seven and a half years for his part in the plot.

32-year-old Hussain, from Birmingham, gave addresses for drug parcels to be sent to Jersey through the post, gathered by the five young people sentenced today (30 April 2025).

The married father of twins told the court he would receive money and cannabis for giving addresses.

Hussain was also charged with having £19,164.65 of 'criminal property', linked to drugs. 

Investigators say he used his ties to the island to target vulnerable young people.

The wider network involved drug dealers in the West Midlands, Lancashire and Greater London.

Dubbed 'Operation Java', this was one of the most complex drugs investigations ever undertaken by Jersey Police, requiring the safeguarding of dozens of local children who had been manipulated and recruited to take part in the criminality.

Channel 103 will bring you a further report on the warning to Jersey parents on the signs of exploitation on Thursday (1 May).