Jersey-born David Vallois (27) was stopped by Special Branch officers as he arrived in the Island on a flight from Birmingham at 9 pm.
He was serving a five-year prison sentence imposed by the Royal Court for importing cannnabis into the Island in May 2001.The officers initially suspected that Vallois was bringing drugs into the Island, although they have not said what prompted their suspicions.
But after taking him to Rouge Bouillon Police Headquarters, it emerged that he had absconded from the open prison in Gloucestershire.
He is now in police custody, awaiting his return to the UK.
Although Vallois began his five-year prison sentence for importing cannabis at La Moye, he was until recently serving his sentence at HMP Leyhill.
He and two other men were jailed for importing £150,000 worth of cannabis resin at the harbour on 26 January 2001.
