Wednesday 10 April 2013
On Tuesday 9 April 2013 Stephen Dale Risbridger, a 52 year old UK resident appeared before the Guernsey Royal Court following a guilty plea to the importation of the Class A Controlled Drugs Cocaine and MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy), the Class B Controlled Drug Cannabis Resin and 3 different types of the Class C Controlled Drug Anabolic Steroids. The controlled drugs seized had a potential local resale value of between £320,530 and £407,415.
On 29 July 2012, Officers of the Guernsey Border Agency stopped a female who had arrived on the Condor Ferry from Poole, she was the sole occupant of a silver Ford Puma registration R732 HWV.
The female informed Officers that she was visiting the Island with her boyfriend, Stephen Risbridger who had travelled on the same ferry as a foot passenger and owned the vehicle.
Officers determined that a search of the vehicle was warranted utilising the drug detector dog team. During the search, the detector dog gave a positive indication and a large paper gift wrapped package was subsequently found in the boot. The package was found to contain 5,402 MDMA tablets, 11,975 grams Cannabis Resin (in the form of 48 nine ounce bars) and 6 glass vials of 3 different types of Anabolic Steroids.
Having identified the offence Officers subsequently located Stephen Risbridger at a local public house and arrested him. Following a search of Risbridger a small paper wrap containing cocaine was found in the pocket of his jeans.
In interview Risbridger maintained a 'no comment' stance to the majority of questions put to him, however he did deny any involvement in the importation of the drugs stating that he had neither seen nor knew of the package discovered in the boot of his vehicle. Risbridger did admit to importing the wrap of cocaine found on him when arrested.
Stephen Risbridger, who gave his employment as a builder, was sentenced by the Royal Court to 12 years imprisonment for the importation of MDMA, 6 years imprisonment (concurrent) for the importation of Cannabis Resin, 12 months imprisonment (concurrent) for each of the 3 counts of importing Steroids and 7 days imprisonment (concurrent) for importing the Cocaine.
A spokesperson from the Guernsey Border Agency said:
"The Agency focuses its resources on targeting serious crime and commercial smuggling in order to protect and prevent harm to the community. We have not encountered such a substantial amount of ecstasy for a number of years. We hope that today's sentencing for this serious smuggling attempt will act as a powerful warning to those contemplating getting involved in drug trafficking".
Law Enforcement are always grateful of any assistance given by members of the public in identifying any persons involved with smuggling or supplying controlled drugs in the Bailiwick; information can be given by contacting the Confidential Drug line on 0800 318 318.
-ENDS-
Contact Information
Guernsey Border Agency
Tel: +44 1481 741417
E-mail: enquiries@gba.gov.gg
