Three men have been jailed for a combined 17 years and 10 months for their part in attempting to bring cocaine into Jersey.
The Royal Court has sentenced Shahiukh Syed Gilani, 39, Reece McLaren, 29, and Terence O’Hagan, 64 for their involvement in a bid to become the island's main suppliers of cocaine.
McLaren and Gilani came to the island on 13 June 2024, from Yorkshire, and, in just three days, successfully imported seven grams of cocaine.
The pair met with O'Hagan, their local contact, and discussed becoming Jersey's leading suppliers of the class A drug and who they should contact to help them.
Reece McLaren (left), Terence O’Hagan (centre) and Shahiukh Syed Gilani (left) meeting in Liberation Square on 14 June 2024.
The Yorkshiremen returned to Jersey on 20 June to start their smuggling operation, having arranged for 66 grams of cocaine to be posted to their holiday let.
The parcel, which had a street value between £9,900 and £16,500, was intercepted, and a police surveillance team dubbed Operation Quaff waited for Gilani and McLaren to collect their delivery.
Swiftly upon its arrival, they were arrested.
Cocaine imported by McLaren and Gilani
Reece McLaren (left), Shahiukh Syed Gilani (centre) and Terence O’Hagan (right).
The trio pleaded guilty to their crimes and have been sentenced to:
- Terence O’Hagan, Jersey - 4 years,
- Reece McLaren, Yorkshire, United Kingdom – 7 years,
- And, Shahiukh Syed Gilani, Yorkshire, United Kingdom – 6 years, 10 months.
Detective Inspector Christina Maclennan, who leads the Drug Squad, says the safety of our community is always at the forefront of our minds.
"We will do our utmost to prosecute anyone who imports and/or deals drugs in Jersey and bring those responsible before the courts."
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