Briton, 53, Jailed for 11 Years Over £750,000 Cocaine Smuggling Plot

Man Jailed for 11 Years After Attempting to Smuggle £750,000 of Cocaine into Jersey

David Paul Rhodes has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after attempting to smuggle £750,000 worth of cocaine into Jersey over Valentine’s weekend. The 53-year-old was caught on 15 February 2025, after arriving on the ferry from Portsmouth with three kilograms of the Class A drug hidden beneath the rear seat of a grey Nissan Juke.

Rhodes initially told Customs and Immigration officers that he had planned a romantic getaway to Jersey with his girlfriend. However, he claimed the trip fell through following an argument on Valentine’s Day, and he travelled alone, intending to return to the UK on Tuesday, 18 February.

He also said the vehicle he was driving had been borrowed from a friend for the holiday. Suspicious of inconsistencies, officers searched the car with the assistance of a drug detection dog, which alerted to the presence of illegal substances.

A closer inspection revealed vacuum-sealed bags containing white powder concealed under a rear passenger seat. When questioned, Rhodes denied any knowledge of the drugs and declined to comment further.

He later pleaded guilty to the offences.

Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, described the seizure as a major disruption to the island’s drug trade.

“In Jersey terms, this was a significant seizure of cocaine destined for our streets,” he said. “Undoubtedly, the seizure of this quantity of drugs has hurt the pockets of those involved in organising the importation.”

The public is encouraged to report any information related to drug smuggling anonymously via 0800 735 5555.