Fine for teen ferry passenger who smuggled cannabis for "holiday"

Friday 19 May 2023

An 18-year-old man who tried to smuggle cannabis into Jersey has been fined £1,000 but spared prison.

Charles Swallow arrived in the island off the ferry from Poole on 30 March. He was stopped by Customs officers and was found to have 24g of the drug hidden in his car.

Advocate Katie Ridley, prosecuting, told the Magistrate’s Court that Swallow claimed he had come to the island to help his family relocate to Jersey.

But she added: "He was physically shaking when they questioned him. Officers searched his car and a candle and jar were found. The jar contained plastic bags that contained cannabis."

He insisted the cannabis was for his personal use, saying: "I only brought the weed for my holiday."

Advocate Ridley said: "He said he did not know it was illegal to import cannabis. He said he had bought it from someone in Southampton but did not know his name."

Swallow had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty from the start, and Advocate Alexander English, defending, suggested the offence could be met with a fine. He said: "He is mortified."

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris said importation of drugs can carry a jail sentence, but took into account the small quantity of drugs involved and Swallow's early guilty plea.

He added: "You have only just become an adult, so there is a residual youth element."

He gave Swallow seven days to pay the fine.