A 29-year-old man from Douglas has been convicted of production and possession with intent to supply of the class ‘C’ drug diazepam.
Gary Jonathon Pownall, of Christian Road, has admitted having 2,000 10mg diazepam tablets and 900 5mg tablets sent to him in a package from Cameroon in Africa.
Pownall pleaded guilty in court to three charges of being unlawfully concerned in the production of drugs to the island, possession of diazepam with intent to supply, and cultivating cannabis.
The case has been adjourned until July 12 at 10am when Pownall will be sentenced.
Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on February 10, a suspicious package was identified by Isle of Man Customs, addressed to Pownall at his mother’s Princes Street home in Douglas.
It was post-marked as being sent from Cameroon and when opened found to contain the pills.
Pownall was arrested at his Christian Road flat which was searched. Five cannabis plants were found during the search, but only one was female and said to be capable of yielding cannabis.
He told police: ‘I did order some tablets – all of this over a bit of valium.’
Two mobile phones were also found during the search which were said to contain various messages indicating that Pownall was involved in the production and supply of drugs.
The defendant gave police permission to access his bank accounts and a payment of £300, made to Cameroon, on January 27, was found.
During a police interview Pownall gave a ‘no comment’ response to all questions.
The total street value of the diazepam tablets was said to be £2,450.
Defending Pownall in court, advocate Peter Russell said that the facts were agreed as presented by the prosecution.
Mr Russell asked for credit to be given to Pownall for his co-operation with the police, and said: ‘My client gave permission for his bank accounts to be accessed and admitted at the scene that he ordered the tablets.’
Mr Russell requested an adjournment to allow time for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.
Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted jurisdiction for the case, saying that her summary court sentencing powers of up to 12 months custody would be sufficient.
Mrs Hughes said that the probation report should consider all options, including custody.
Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with a condition that Pownall lives at his home address, attends probation meetings, co-operates with the preparation of the report, and does not leave the island without court permission.