Postal drug importations spike during lockdown

Monday 01 March 2021

Guernsey Border Agency Officers have seized 26 drug packages since the start of Lockdown 2, following a spike in postal importations.

The seizures have predominantly been of herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and synthetic cannabinoids.

"Guernsey Border Agency Officers have continued to make seizures of prohibited items including controlled drugs during lockdown," said a spokesman.

"As opportunities to travel in person have gone down, the number of attempted illegal importations through the postal system have increased. Therefore, Officers have adapted to focus more on post and freight."

Pictured: A breakdown of all drug seizures in 2019, Bailiwick Law Enforcement's most recent annual report. 

In little over a month since the island went into lockdown on 23 January, the GBA confirmed to Express that there have been 26 seizures and counting. 

When compared to full-year stats from 2019 - in which 101 drug seizures were carried out - officers have seized as many drug packages in the five weeks since lockdown as they did, on average, in three months of 2019.

The GBA point to an increase in attempted importations, while increased detection efforts and the relatively small sample size also need to be taken into account. 

"GBA officers examine post arriving into the Bailiwick every day," said the spokesman for BLE, commenting on the spike in illegal importations. 

"Any prohibited items found will be investigated and relevant risk assessed activity such as search warrants will be undertaken."