Plain clothes officers went on to raid Conor John Coote’s home on Mont Millais in August after a customs officer at Jersey Post found Methiopropamine (MPA) concealed within the footwear, which had been posted to the Island from the UK.
On Friday the 21-year-old, along with Luke John Boschat (23) and William Cowling (25), was sentenced to 12 months probation by the Inferior Number.
They had all pleaded guilty to importing prohibited goods and had been in custody since their arrests.
Cowling was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service while Boschat and Coote were sentenced to 160 hours and 110 hours respectively.
The court heard that it is illegal to import MPA – which has been linked to several deaths across Europe – into Jersey and next month the substance is due to be added to the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978.
Outlining the case, Crown Advocate Emma Hollywood said that on 13 August an X-ray examination of a parcel revealed two ‘fist-sized’ packets of white powder hidden within a pair of boots.
Police, who had been observing the trio for days, replaced the packages with substitutes and placed two listening devices into the parcel.
They later raided Coote’s house where they arrested him and Cowling before arresting Boschat outside his St Helier home.
Searches were also carried out at the homes of Cowling and Boschat.
Advocate Hollywood said that the trio had imported 247g of MPA with an estimated street value of £15,000.
The court heard that Cowling, who was the ‘primary motivator’ for the importation, organised for it to be delivered from the UK to Coote’s address, while Boschat’s bank account had been used to pay for the transaction.
Advocate Natalie Addis, defending Cowling, who also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, said that although her client had a ‘lengthy criminal record’ he had found prison life ‘very hard’.
She added: ‘He wishes he could turn back the clock.
‘He is determined to prove to himself, the court and his family that he can turn his life around and put a stop to this spiral of offending.’
Advocate Jane Grace, defending Coote, who also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cannabis and producing cannabis, said that he had only been a ‘temporary custodian’ of the drug.
She added: ‘This was not the most serious or sophisticated importations to begin with.
‘The involvement of Mr Coote was very peripheral.
‘He was not involved in the planning.’
Advocate Pierre Landick, defending Boschat, who also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cannabis, said that his client had a ‘very supportive’ family and girlfriend, adding that he would be able to take up full-time employment upon his release.
Addressing the trio, Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq, who was sitting with Jurats Robert Kerley and Jerry Ramsden, said that MPA was ‘potentially dangerous’ as its properties are unknown.
‘This is in effect your last chance,’ he added.
‘If any of you are back before the court you must expect the court to be lacking in sympathy and to impose a prison sentence on you.’
