A Dutch man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after attempting to import a kilogram of cannabis resin into Jersey.

Evert Paul Smallegange was arrested by Jersey Customs and Immigration Officers when he arrived at Jersey airport on 5 February this year. 

He admitted that he had swallowed the 'hash'. He then produced 199 pellets of the substance to officers over four days, when in custody.

Each pellet of the drug contained five grams of resin. The total haul has a street value of £30,000. 

During an interview with police, Smallegange said he had amassed a debt of €10,000 as a result of not being able to work, due to illness. 

He also revealed he was going to be paid €750 for his role in the smuggling operation. 

Senior Manager Paul Le Monnier at JCIS said:

“Individuals will use all sorts of methods to import drugs to the Island and whilst swallowing drugs may not be a common method to import to Jersey, Officers are always alert to that possibility and will progress those investigations as necessary.

"The danger to individuals concealing drugs internally, particularly by swallowing, cannot be underestimated”.

Jersey Police say anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555.