Scottish man (27) jailed for smuggling £17,500 worth of cocaine to Jersey

Thursday, 19 February 2026 14:32

Credit: Jersey Customs and Immigration Service

Findlay John Mackay from Dumfries, Scotland, has been jailed for more than four years for importing £17,500 worth of cocaine into Jersey.

Jersey's Royal Court sentenced Mackay to four years and four months in prison.

The 27-year-old was flying to the island with his girlfriend from Glasgow on 2 October 2025.

However, Jersey Customs and Immigration Officers stopped the couple and questioned them.

Several swabs were taken of Mackay's belongings, which provided positive cocaine samples, so he admitted to using the Class A drug and cannabis.

The Scotsman 'produced' five packages of cocaine in total, weighing almost 69 grams.

Credit: Jersey Customs and Immigration Service

Officers discovered during an interview that the 27-year-old had accumulated a £10,000 drug debt and was told to import the drugs into Jersey by someone from Manchester to clear what he owed.

Mackay said he had been threatened that his mother’s house would be burned down if he refused.

Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, says they often hear that individuals are pressured and threatened to carry out drug importations to settle their debts.

However, he says this does not remove personal accountability.

"Drug importations harm our community, and those participating, regardless of their reason, should expect severe sentences.

"The vigilance of our JCIS Officers stopped these drugs from reaching our streets.”