Manchester man jailed after cocaine smuggling attempt into Jersey

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after attempting to smuggle cocaine into Jersey hidden inside Kinder egg containers concealed in his underwear.

Kieran Walker was stopped by Customs and Immigration officers when he arrived on the island by ferry from Portsmouth in September last year. He was travelling with his stepbrother, Grant Adams, 45, and told officers he was visiting a friend named Aaron.

Officers searched their vehicle and carried out swab tests, several of which returned positive results for cocaine. Both men admitted using cocaine and cannabis.

Walker later handed over a tobacco pouch hidden in his underwear, which was found to contain three plastic egg-shaped containers holding cocaine. In total, around 57 grams of the drug were seized, with an estimated street value of £14,300.

Further investigations led officers to arrest a third man, Aaron Brannan, 34, at Jersey Airport the following day. He was found with more than £2,400 in cash and other items connected to the inquiry.

At Jersey’s Royal Court, Walker was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for importing cocaine and for involvement with criminal property.

Adams received a six-month prison sentence for importing a small quantity of herbal cannabis and for his role in an agreement involving criminal property. He denied knowing that Walker was carrying cocaine.

Brannan, from Manchester, was jailed for 18 months for attempting to remove cash from the island and for intending to pervert the course of justice.

Following the sentencing, Paul Le Monnier, senior manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, said drug smuggling and money laundering would not be tolerated.

“Those who attempt to profit from illegal drugs only contribute to the harm they cause,” he said. “We remain committed to protecting the island and its community.”