Man had 'drugs sweetie shop' disguised as candle

A man who imported a "sweetie shop" of drugs with a street value of more than £74,000 to the Isle of Man hidden in a plant pot disguised as a candle has been jailed.

Aaron Glover's black Mercedes was searched by customs and excise officers after he arrived in Douglas on a ferry on 18 June last year.

Douglas Courthouse heard cocaine, MDMA and ketamine were found in a tub concealed within the pot by a layer of wax.

Jailing him for nine years, Deemster Graeme Cook said the "drugs sweetie shop" Glover had imported was the widest variety in a single haul he had seen during six years presiding over cases on the Isle of Man.

Glover, of Oak Hill Court in Douglas, 36, and another person were stopped at the port after arriving with a car and disembarking.

Prosecutors said Glover then hurt his ankle jumping over a wall as he tried to flee from police at the Sea Terminal.

The plant pot, which had been capped with wax to resemble a large candle, was found in the car.

A sealed tub within it was found to have £46,900 worth of cocaine, £1,080 of crystal meth, 100 ecstasy tablets worth £1,500 and ketamine with a street value of between £19,960 and £24,950, along with a bulking agent.

A receipt found in the car showed the plant pot had been bought in a supermarket in Widnes, Cheshire, along with scented candles, with other items found including rubber gloves and more candles, which prosecutors said had been used to create the "wax hide".

Mobile phone messages recovered by police also confirmed Glover had been involved in the supply of drugs.

His defence advocate said he had been struggling with addiction and was heavily in debt due to drugs, as well as owing money for rent and credit card payments at the time.

He pleaded guilty to seven offences including production of cocaine, ketamine, MDMA and possession of the drugs with intent to supply.

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