Illegal drug trade "remains a significant threat to public safety"

Thursday 05 August 2021

The harm caused by illegal drugs and the people who trade in them "cannot easily be overstated", according to the Head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement, who says the Force had a "successful year" seizing £1.8m worth of drugs.

Presenting BLE's annual report for 2020, Ruari Hardy said the Guernsey Border Agency had captured over £1m of cannabis as part of continued efforts to crack down on drug use and importation.

The Border Division’s strategy continues to focus on targeting the importation of the most harmful, Class A substances. However, his staff are equally focused on the importation and supply of Class B and C substances. 

"The trade in illegal drugs remains a significant threat to the safety in the Bailiwick of Guernsey," said Mr Hardy. "Organised criminal groups supply commercial quantities of Class A and Class B drugs to the islands primarily for their own financial benefit with little regard to the adverse consequences of their criminal activity."

Pictured: A vast majority of the drugs seized, in terms of value, were Class B substances such as cannabis resin and herbal cannabis.

"2020 was a successful year for drug seizures," he added. Asked what "success" means to BLE, he replied: "Success is taking the right actions when we have intelligence or our investigatory work detects an importation."

He says the harm caused by drugs and by the people who trade in them "cannot easily be overstated".

"Aside from the deaths caused by Class A drugs, the addiction, mental health issues and violence follow as a direct result of drug trafficking."

"I am not aware of any positives that come from the misuse of drugs, only negatives. It is an industry driven by organised crime and keeping our community safe from it will remain a key focus."

Pictured: 9.6 kilograms of herbal cannabis that was seized during an attempted importation early last year. More on that story HERE. 

Of the drugs seized in 2020, the vast majority were Class B substances. This included 46.5kg of cannabis resin, 12 litres of synthetic cannabinoids and 15kg of herbal cannabis. 

Of the Class A drugs seized, there were 392g of MDMA, 713ml of tetrahydrocannabinol liquid, 18g of cocaine and 117g of 'Class A Edibles'.

During a sentencing hearing this week for a young mother caught dealing and importing cannabis, Guernsey's Royal Court heard that "the stock of drugs locally" had fallen drastically during 2020. 

With limited travel in and out of the Bailiwick due to Covid-19, Mr Hardy commended GBA staff on their efforts in challenging circumstances. 

"As a result of the pandemic, travel and importation of goods into the island was limited and more intensely scrutinised. This changed the commodities that the GBA saw being imported.

"Cannabis still remains the prevalent drug on the island and this again can be seen in the statistics provided in this report."

Pictured: Brynn, the Guernsey Border Agency's Customs Drug Detector Dog. 

Mr Hardy continued: "During 2020 the lack of available travel options caused a significant variation in importation methods where smaller postal importations became more common.

"The requirement to satisfy the cannabis market in 2020 resulted in officers encountering importations of Cannabis oil and Tetrahydrocannabinol liquid, both Class A controlled drugs, and synthetic cannabinoid liquids, as well as Class B controlled drugs in significant numbers both through the postal system and through the Border controls.

"In addition, officers saw a number of edibles containing cannabis products including gummies, chocolates, cupcakes and cakes."

Pictured top: 40.25 kilograms of cannabis resin found concealed within the boot of the vehicle. More on that story HERE.