Alderney resident imports cannabis

Tuesday 10 December 2019

A 25-year-old woman, who is currently living in Alderney, has been sentenced by Guernsey's Royal Court for attempting to have 14g of cannabis resin posted to her address.

Jade Baller was arrested in July this year, after customs officers who were on duty in the Alderney post office opened a 'special delivery' envelope addressed to her.

The officers noted a "potent smell" and visited the defendant's home to search and arrest her.

When interviewed by police, Baller admitted buying the resin which she ordered through Facebook Messenger from a contact in the UK. She spent £70 on the Class B drug, which she said helped her to sleep.

She cooperated with police, giving over the password to her tablet where messages were found confirming what she had said.

Pictured: The defendant was sentenced in Guernsey's Royal Court.

Baller has no previous convictions and has, according to defence Advocate Mark Priaulx, been taking steps to improve her personal issues.

Her case was heard by the Court of Alderney in September, but was referred to Guernsey because of the seriousness of the crime.

"Postal importations of controlled drugs are treated seriously because of the misuse of the postal service," explained Judge Russell Finch. "Postal importations are viewed unsympathetically by the Bailiwick.

"We've heard about your very difficult early life," he continued. "That only goes so far."

Judge Finch and eight Jurats decided on a 12 month suspended prison sentence, which Baller will have to serve if she commits another crime within the next two years.

"You've got a chance now to get on with your life," Judge Finch added. "Don't blow it. Don't do anything else wrong and don't even think about it."