Jail for “mid-level” cannabis dealer snared by ‘squidgy’ texts

Friday 13 January 2023

A “mid-level” drug dealer who offered to supply up to £19,000 of cannabis has been sent to jail for more than two years after he was identified through text messages on an associate’s phone.

Simon Guy Boschat (33) agreed to supply approximately one kilogram of the drug, the Royal Court heard yesterday.

He admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs and a further count of failing to provide his mobile phone PIN number.

Crown Advocate Simon Crowder, prosecuting, explained that Boschat was arrested after evidence from an associate's phone was seized.

The court heard that Boschat "was supplying [an associate] with commercial amounts of cannabis" and a search of his associate's phone revealed messages between the pair.

"There are a number of messages that officers refer to such as 'might be able to grab some squidgy if you've got any'. Squidgy refers to cannabis resin," Advocate Crowder said.

He added: "There are a number of messages dealing with pricing. There are also messages to show when stocks weren't in supply. He [Boschat] proactively arranged drug deals. Evidence reveals he acted as a mid-level drug dealer."

Boschat was arrested on 24 September 2021 at his home address, and his iPhone and credit cards were seized. No drugs, cash or scales were seized at the time of his arrest.

Later interviewed by Police about his financial situation, Boschat spoke of earning £550 per week through a roofing company, and said he also made money by taking spare lead to a "scrap man".

He also said that he was prescribed medicinal cannabis, and had received his last prescription two to three weeks previously.

Boschat refused to provide access to his bank accounts, and repeatedly declined to provide his iPhone pin code to officers – even after being served with an official request notice.

When questioned about the apparent associate and the messages the pair exchanged, Boschat initially replied 'no comment', before stating that he had previously worked with him, but that the pair had not spoken for a while.

He also agreed that the messages appeared to point to him, but denied that it was his mobile number and said that he had not written or sent any.

Officers finally managed to access his bank accounts after directly contacting banks. When questioned on his account activity, Boschat maintained that none of his transactions were drug-related, and that a transfer of a total of £23,336 to his Monzo account was legitimate.

Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, said Boschat had not appeared in any court since 2013 and that he has been assured of stable employment upon completing his custodial sentence.

"Since 2013, Mr Boschat has naturally matured. He will have a significant amount of time in custody to reflect and prepare for his release. It's important to highlight that he is a resilient individual," he said.

"He is a man determined to make something out of his life."

Delivering the court's sentence of 27 months' imprisonment, Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae, presiding, said: "You played a crucial role in the chain of supply. Without you, illegal trade would not be allowed to flourish.

"We know that [the associate] was sentenced to 16 months for the supply of cannabis and criminal property. Those offences were less serious than today - he was lower down the chain of supply."

Despite jailing Boschat, the Deputy Bailiff added: "We are impressed and pleased to see a job is available upon your release from custody."

Speaking after the sentencing, States of Jersey Police detective sergeant Jim McGranahan said: "We are a highly motivated organisation with the safety of the community at the forefront of our minds and we are committed to keeping illegal drugs, and those who deal in these drugs, off our streets."

Jurats Elizabeth Dulake and Alison Opfermann were sitting.