A CHEF who falsely claimed he had travelled to Jersey for a trial shift at a four-star hotel has been jailed after more than £500,000 worth of cannabis was uncovered inside his hire car.
Andrew Stephen Chard was sentenced to four years and eight months in the Royal Court after admitting importing 24kg of cannabis resin into the Island.
When he arrived on the ferry from Portsmouth in a UK-registered hire car, the 39-year-old told customs officers he was in Jersey for a trial work shift at the Pomme d’Or Hotel.
He said the hotel’s name translated to “Golden Apple”, but could not remember its actual name. Inquiries with the hotel confirmed his account was false.
A search of his hire vehicle uncovered 24kg of cannabis resin concealed in the front and rear bumpers and the engine bay.
The court heard that Chard had “amassed over £16,000 in debt relating to cocaine and gambling”.
Crown Advocate Jason Gollop, prosecuting, said: “Despite being employed as a chef in a public house, the defendant was homeless and sofa-surfing for a period of four months prior to his remand in custody.
“The defendant’s precarious financial situation was caused by his addictions to both cocaine and gambling.
“This growing debt left the defendant in a vulnerable position and ultimately resulted in the commission of this offence, in an attempt to clear the monies owed.”
Advocate Darry Robinson, defending, said Chard was in “poor health” and urged the court to show mercy.
“He is a vulnerable adult,” he said. “He is very vulnerable – exactly the sort of people who drug dealers rely on, prey upon.”
Letters submitted on Chard’s behalf described the offending as “an error of judgment”, while one friend said he was “very hardworking”.
Advocate Robinson argued that Chard could be rehabilitated, “but he needs to be given the tools and structure”.
Deputy Bailiff Mark Temple, presiding, described Chard as a “trusted courier” who had booked and collected the hire car himself.
“Further, the value of the drugs indicates you were trusted with a significant and valuable quantity of drugs,” he said.
Following the hearing, Jersey Customs and Immigration Service senior manager Luke Goddard said: “This is a significant quantity of cannabis and the criminals involved would have made a substantial financial profit.
“This is a great example of the diligence of the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service officers concerned in both finding the drugs and investigating the offence, resulting in the successful conviction of the criminal importing the cannabis.”
Jurats Dulake, Entwistle and Berry were sitting.
