Man uses postal service to import cannabis

Tuesday 09 April 2019

A 24-year-old man has been given 180 hours of community service for importing 4.69g of cannabis into Guernsey via the postal system.

Michael Walters was arrested in September 2018 after a package addressed to him, containing the class-B drug, was chosen for inspection at the Post Office.

When asked Walters gave up the passcode to his iPhone, revealing a series of Facebook messages with one of his friends overseas. The defendant asked this friend how much cannabis he would be able to buy with £20 but was told he had to purchase a minimum of 5g. Walters then went on to ask whether the 5g package would be the size of a "pillowcase" or a "crisp packet" before agreeing to buy it. He also mentioned the likelihood of the package being searched, referring to a case in Jersey where a person was found to be importing ecstasy.

In September last year 5g of cannabis had a Guernsey street price of £100 to £150. However, Walters' defence argued it was only for personal use, saying he had an "unusual level of naivety" towards the crime and wanted to trial the substance for the first time in an attempt to self-medicate.  Walters has been struggling with his health since late 2017, costing him a job in the local finance industry, and claims to have "tried all the tests and therapies".

Walters has no previous convictions and the court agreed he was at a low risk of reoffending and there's no risk of harm to others.

In sentencing, the Royal Court accepted the defendant had bought the drug to "alleviate some of the symptoms" but said he was "dreaming up" his own "misguided solution". It had been considering a 12 month custodial sentence but decided on 180 hours of community service as a direct alternative.

"Having been caught you will have learnt your lesson. You will now have to live with the shame," said Deputy Bailiff Richard McMahon. "Complete the hours and we won't see you again."

Pictured: Guernsey's Royal Court.