Two jailed for importing cocaine...and caffeine

Wednesday 16 January 2019

Mechanics Adam Clayton, 20, and Ashley Collum, 23, have been jailed for three and five years respectively for importing cocaine into Guernsey last September, even though one actually imported caffeine.

While Collum was found to have attempted to import around £1000 of cocaine, Clayton alluded to the same offence, but was eventually found only to be in possession of caffeine powder.

The pair, both from Preston in Lancashire had travelled to the island by ferry on 2 September 2018 when they were stopped by officers at the White Rock. They said it was their first visit to the island, coming over for the day to 'go to the beach'. 

Pictured: The pair were stopped by Guernsey Border Agency as they arrived in Guernsey via St Peter Port Harbour.

Appearing 'nervous' with 'hands shaking a lot' a strip search was authorised for the pair.

In the case of Collum, a SIM card and 'white chalk like substance' fell from his socks which he immediately identified as 'crack' [cocaine] for his 'own use'.

After initially refusing the X-Ray at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital which later showed an object above his rectum, Collum later passed a 'Kinder egg' containing two more bags of white crystalline powder, making a total 8.52 grams of cocaine .

Pictured: A plastic egg, like the kind Clayton and Collum had inserted into their bodies.

The court heard that Clayton, who was 19 at the time, was un co-operative with officers from the outset, going on to hide a similar 'Kinder egg' inside his anus "when their backs were turned," his Defence Advocate told the court. 

During the hearing Adv. Steel said the defendant was, "a young man roped in to do the dirty work".

Pictured Adam Clayton. 

Both men had apparently travelled the 273 miles from Preston to Bournemouth 'for the day' before being told that "plans had changed" according to Adv. Steel's statement. Clayton was then given what he believed to be a controlled substance to conceal and had his ferry fare paid for.

Clayton repeatedly told officers he would not consent to an X-Ray before later asking for food and cigarettes in exchange for his compliance. A Kinder egg was later passed into a commode while he was under surveillance. Against legal advice sought by telephone, Clayton gave his own admission that the Kinder egg was "full of cocaine". 

The States analyst found that the beige substance Clayton had carried was in fact 18.27 grams of caffeine. "The most used drug in the world, thankfully not a controlled substance," said Adv. Steel in his mitigation speech. 

Pictured: Ashley Collum.

The admission by Clayton that the package was "full of cocaine" was called "key evidence" in court as no evidence for the intention to import controlled drugs were found on either mobile phones seized by officers. 

Despite positive tests for a controlled substance Collum was described by Advocate Roffey, representing, as "not a big player" which was seen as evident by the fact that no trafficking charges were being pursued. This was said to be because there were no profits or assets to recover. He was also said to be detoxing while in custody.

"The reason he is detoxing is his determination as we know unfortunately, drugs can be obtained in the prison," said Adv. Roffey.

Judge Richard McMahon said these are serious offences and the accused must now pay the consequences however he told Clayton; "some allowance should be made for the fact that the result would not be the same as if it were a controlled drug," as well as his young age.

Neither man had any relevant previous convictions and both had young families at home as well as a "strong work ethic". 

Collum was sentenced to five years for the importation of a class A drug, cocaine and Clayton to three years youth detention for attempting to import cocaine. Both sentences started 2 September 2018 when the pair were first remanded in custody.  

Pictured: Collum and Clayton were found to be importing cocaine, and caffeine, into Guernsey.