A 25 year old man has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for trying to smuggle cocaine into Jersey.

Jake Lee Thompson from Stockport attempted to import 113.37 grams of the class a drug into the island, concealed internally. 

He boarded a flight from Manchester on 17 October 2024 with his girlfriend, but was stopped by Jersey Customs and Immigration officers upon arrival. 

After testing positive in a drug swab, the 25-year-old of no fixed address was searched. This resulted in officers finding a cylindrical package inside his person. 

It's estimated that the drugs have the street value of £28,500. 

Mr Thompson stated in an interview that he was 'a simple courier' and that his girlfriend had 'no knowledge' that he was importing drugs. 

Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, said:

“This was an unsophisticated attempt to import cocaine to the Island that was thwarted by the vigilance of our officers at the borders.

"The sentence handed out to Thompson demonstrates the hard stance the Island takes to drug trafficking.”

Anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously on 0800 735 5555.