EFFORTS to create a more “welcoming” atmosphere for families visiting inmates at HMP La Moye are being undermined by a small number of people “abusing” the process to smuggle in drugs, according to the prison service.
The JEP understands that there have been three cases in the past two years where staff have stopped attempted “drug passes” and reported the incidents to the police.
The issue of drug smuggling is in the spotlight following a Royal Court case last week.
Joshua Peter O’Brien (35) pleaded guilty to several drugs charges, including conveying them to the prison. He was remanded in custody to return to court on 18 October.
In a statement, the prison service has appealed for anyone with information about drugs coming into the prison to share it with security officers.
“The States of Jersey Prison Service is committed to making visits more welcoming and supportive for families – unfortunately, this effort has been undermined by a small number of individuals who have abused the process,” the service said.
“If visitors have any information or intelligence regarding drugs coming into the prison, please report it to the prison security department.
“By working together, we can keep your loved ones safe and drug-free, while continuing to ensure visits remain a positive and welcoming experience for everyone.”
Last year, “professional drug dealer” Shane Lloyd was jailed in the Royal Court after cocaine and cannabis resin with a street value of more than £43,000 was found at his home.
During Lloyd’s hearing, the prosecution outlined how police officers discovered a phone containing details of drug deals by the dealer, including sales of cocaine and cannabis resin to a prisoner in La Moye, with some drugs thrown over a wall and others carried in by a female visitor.
In August 2022, Elias Benyoucef was jailed for nine months by a judge in the Magistrate’s Court after assaulting a woman at a nightclub and smuggling a controlled drug into prison.
A drugs gang was jailed for more than 18 years in 2010 after a plot to import a stash of heroin worth almost £122,000 into Jersey – masterminded from inside the prison – was foiled. Two inmates used smuggled mobile phones to set up the deal in a serious breach of security.
