Three cannabis importers get seven years each

THREE men were yesterday jailed for seven years each for importing more than 13kg of cannabis resin with a street value of £150,000. Simon Gormer, 34, Daniel Galvin, 38, and Sebastian Priaulx, 24, each pleaded guilty to their part in the importation.

Sentencing them in the Royal Court, Lt-Bailiff Russell Finch said all three were equally culpable. He also praised Customs' detection work.

He told the accused that all three would have contributed to the island's drug problem had they been successful.

The court heard that Gormer, who lived in Basildon, Essex, arrived from Weymouth on the ferry with his female partner and daughter.

The drugs had been concealed in their vehicle. The car was stopped and searched by Customs officers and he was asked if he was carrying any prohibited items. He said that he was not.

He told officers he was staying at the Wayside Cheer Hotel.

Searching the vehicle, an officer noted damage to some door panels. He removed them and saw packages behind.

He replaced the panels, leaving the drugs untouched, and allowed Gormer to carry on with his journey. It was then that officers started monitoring his movements.

Gormer arrived at the hotel later that day and left his car parked at the rear of the property.

At about 5.20pm the same day, Galvin, who had been living in Guernsey for 12 years, was seen leaving the hotel. He got into Gormer's car and drove it away.

He arrived soon afterwards at Priaulx's home. When officers swooped at Priaulx's house, the two defendants were wearing white surgical gloves.

Priaulx was standing near Galvin, who was in the car. Priaulx was immediately arrested and cautioned, while Galvin ran off into a field before being apprehended.

A short while later, Gormer was located in the bar at the Wayside Cheer and arrested.

A search of Gormer's car by Customs revealed the concealment of 58 packages containing 62 bars.

In interview, Gormer said that he knew there were illegal drugs in his car but he did not how much because someone else had hidden them for him.

His role had been to deliver the car to a certain place in Guernsey and for others to take the drugs. He had never met Priaulx or Galvin before and had never heard of them.

He expected to be paid on his return to the UK.

His partner and daughter knew nothing of the drugs.

In addition to the seven years Priaulx was given for drug importation, he was given a further consecutive three months for having 50g of cannabis resin for his own personal use found in his bedroom and car following a search by police.

Mr Finch said that on release, each would be under compulsory supervision for a period equivalent to a quarter of the sentence they had served.