15 years for 'significant drug trafficker' from Merseyside

35-year-old jailed after importing cocaine and cannabis

A Merseyside man has been jailed for 15 years after importing cocaine and cannabis to the Isle of Man.

James Spotswood, of Townsend Street in Birkenhead, was described as playing a leading role in a cross border organised crime group during sentencing at Douglas Courthouse today (11 August).

The 35-year-old had previously admitted being concerned in the production of the Class A drug cocaine.

The court heard phone data linked Spotswood to the delivery of a parcel, which arrived at a property in Douglas, on 6 August 2021.

It contained a microwave packed with 250 grams of cocaine which had a street value of £24,000.

Spotswood also admitted to being concerned in the production of cocaine and cannabis, which had a street value of more than £220,000, in June 2022.

Prosecutor James Robinson described Spotswood as a ‘significant drug trafficker involved in organised crime’ who was ‘integral’ to the importation of the drugs to the Island.

Spotswood’s advocate accepted his Merseyside client had played a ‘significant role’ but asked the court to take into account the length of sentence so that he didn’t become ‘institutionalised’.

The court was told Spotswood would be seeking a transfer to a prison in the United Kingdom.

Deemster Graeme Cook told the court he’d noted a ‘steady influx’ of drugs being brought to Manx shores adding: “It is an awful, horrible, situation for the Isle of Man to find itself in.”

Describing Spotswood’s offending as being on a ‘commercial scale’ he also imposed a five-year exclusion order from the Island which will come into effect when his prison sentence expires.