Jamie Smith, 38, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for playing a leading role in the importation and selling of both cocaine and cannabis on the island.[1] He pleaded guilty to being concerned in importing cocaine, supplying cocaine and supplying cannabis.[2] Deemster Cook imposed nine years and six months for cocaine supply, ten years and six months consecutive for producing a class A drug, and five years concurrent for cannabis supply, totalling 20 years.[3] The offences were all committed between August 2, 2022 and November 22, 2023.[3]
He was arrested in December 2024 and charged with being concerned in cocaine supply and importation and cannabis supply between August 2022 and November 2023.[2] Police installed a recording device in his room at the Comis Hotel over six weeks in late 2023, revealing his involvement in drug trafficking.[2] Investigators linked him to up to £249,000 of cocaine imported to the Isle of Man in October 2023 concealed in a tyre.[2] Prosecutors said it was impossible to know his total profit, but in phone calls he said he made between £1,000 and £4,000 a day.[2] Prosecutors described him as the orchestrator of the island-based organised crime group with links to a Merseyside group.[2]
He had previously been sentenced to five years for his involvement in a plot to import £310,000 worth of cannabis, along with 98 vapes laced with THC, to the island on the fishing vessel Boy Shane in November 2023.[2] That sentence runs concurrently to the 20 years he is now serving.[3] Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson said Smith was the most prolific drug dealer the island has seen and his conviction represents a major success for the island.[1]