Jersey Drug Syndicate Dismantled: Seven Convicted and Sentenced
Five men involved in a sophisticated drug smuggling operation targeting Jersey have been sentenced by the Royal Court, receiving a combined total of 36 years and six months in prison, along with 456 hours of community service.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Elf, led to the seizure of £270,000 worth of drugs and uncovered an elaborate scheme to smuggle illegal substances into Jersey via the postal system.
Key Sentences
Ibrahim Roslan (35) from Liverpool: 9 years and 6 months
Michael Quinn (23) from Jersey: 9 years and 6 months
Aaron Nursaw (32) from Wirral: 9 years
Kyle Dawson (28) from Jersey: 8 years and 6 months
Jordan Barnett-Roberts (23) from Jersey: 456 hours of community service
Smuggling Operation
The syndicate’s activities came to light following several major drug seizures coordinated by the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service (JCIS), in collaboration with Merseyside Police.
The first major breakthrough occurred on 30 June 2022, when JCIS intercepted a package from Liverpool addressed to Barnett-Roberts. It contained 185 grams of cocaine. Surveillance led officers to a property in St. Lawrence, where Roslan and Dawson were found attempting to hide the intercepted drugs in a gutter before trying to evade arrest by leaping off a balcony and hiding in bushes.
Further interceptions followed, including a parcel addressed to Michael Quinn in July 2023 containing 54 grams of cocaine and 2,500 MDMA pills. Investigations uncovered additional packages linked to Roslan, including drugs concealed in a 40th birthday gift box.
Roslan was ultimately arrested in Liverpool by Merseyside Police’s County Lines Team, where officers discovered 2,000 ecstasy pills in his flat and forensic links to earlier drug seizures. Nursaw, another key figure in the operation, was also arrested in Liverpool and extradited to Jersey.
Broader Impact
Operation Elf not only dismantled the syndicate but also led to further convictions, including:
Janice Mawdsley: 4 years in prison
Philip Delduca: 3 years and 10 months in prison
Official Statements
Luke Goddard, JCIS Senior Manager, praised the success of the operation:
“This operation has dismantled a drug syndicate targeting Jersey, resulting in the conviction of seven individuals and the seizure of over £270,000 worth of drugs. The professionalism of the officers involved has ensured a significant impact on drug-related crime in our community.”
Detective Sergeant Carl Lynch of Merseyside Police’s County Lines Investigation Team emphasised the importance of collaboration:
“Today’s sentencing highlights the success of working together with agencies like JCIS. The arrests of Roslan and Nursaw in Liverpool ensured they could no longer harm our communities.”
The investigation underscores the effectiveness of cross-agency collaboration in combatting drug trafficking and safeguarding the community.