A 32-YEAR-OLD man from Birmingham who used the addresses of teenagers in Jersey to post drugs worth tens of thousands of pounds to the Island has been jailed for seven and a half years.
The sentencing of Mohammed Babrul Hussain in the Royal Court forms part of a “wider investigation linked to the illegal network of controlled drugs into Jersey”, the States police have said.
And the force said there would be further court appearances linked to the wide-ranging investigation, which also involves Jersey Customs and Immigration.
The court heard that a teenager – one of two youths whose addresses were used – had been talked into letting smugglers use her address to send drugs to.
Hussain (32) admitted two counts of fraudulent evasion after cushions posted to Jersey were found to contain 289 MDMA tablets and 980g of cannabis resin.
Meanwhile, another intercepted parcel was found to contain cannabis – with a street value of between £37,000 and £55,000 – hidden inside a karaoke speaker.
Hussain also pleaded guilty to fraudulent evasion, possession of criminal property, two counts of converting criminal property and removing criminal property – money-laundering charges relating to the proceeds of drugs that were imported into Jersey.
He had £12,787 of cash that was classed as “criminal property” and later converted criminal property by exchanging it into US dollars and euros.
When Hussain was arrested and his phone examined, the police found WhatsApp messages indicative of drug trafficking. These included a picture of tablets that looked like the seized MDMA, the court heard.
“There were discussions regarding quantities and regarding the importation of drugs into Jersey,” Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, said.
A warrant executed at the home of a 15-year-old and a search of Hussain’s WhatsApp messages highlighted that parcels were sent to fake addresses in Jersey.
Advocate Sette added that Hussain was living “beyond his means”, buying Rolex watches, which Hussain claimed were fakes.
Advocate Sarah Dale, defending, said Hussain had been “trying to get out of [the drugs trade] for the last few months” by leaving the Island in order to avoid former associates.
She said: “Mr Hussain is sorry for his actions and he has provided a letter to the court where he sets out his deepest regrets and remorse.
“This is particularly in relation to the use of young people and the impact this has had on the Island.”
Hussain was given a custodial sentence of seven years and six months.
Senior investigating officer Christina MacLennan said the sentence “should serve as a deterrent to those who are involved in the importation and supply of controlled drugs in Jersey”.
She added: “The States of Jersey Police, along with partners across government, including Jersey Customs and Immigration, are committed to disrupting such networks, as well as supporting those vulnerable to the harms caused as a result.”
The Bailiff was presiding.
The Jurats sitting were the Lieutenant-Bailiff Jerry Ramsden, Kim Averty, Gareth Hughes, David Le Heuzé and Alison Opfermann.
