'Possibly the most prolific drug dealer the island has seen' sentenced

'He was a career drug dealer who believed that he would not be caught'

A man described as 'possibly the most prolific drug dealer the Island has seen' has today (22 January) been jailed for 20 years.

Jamie Mark Smith was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse for a number of serious drug offences.

Following sentencing, Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit commented: "Operation Vineyard targeted Smith and his criminal associates.

"I am extremely pleased that the courts have imposed such a significant prison sentence in respect of Jamie Smith, who was the head of an established organised crime group here on the Island.

"I do not exaggerate when I say that he is possibly the most prolific drug dealer the Island has seen. 

"We know he started dealing in his latter teenage years and he has not stopped since, apart from a period in custody for similar offences.

"As soon as he was released from prison, he carried on where he left off. We know this because he said it himself.  

"As the court heard, he was a career drug dealer who believed that he would not be caught, due to his network of associates. He believed that because he did not touch the drugs, he would evade prosecution.

"Upon a significant seizure being made, and persons being arrested, we established he would be busy planning his next importation."

(Jamie Smith - Credit: Isle of Man Constabulary)

Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson added: "His arrest represents a major success for the Island, as there is no doubt he would have continued to bring Class A and Class B controlled drugs into the community on a frequent and large scale, exploiting the vulnerable and profiting from their harm.

"Operation Vineyard progressed through several phases, and on each occasion, Smith remained involved - orchestrating criminal activity from a distance and using others to carry out his instructions. We also know he was in command of his street dealers and his customers around the Island.

"He built close working relationships with Merseyside criminal associates, including individuals he had previously served time with. One such associate, Liam Dunne, is currently serving a 12-year sentence on the Island.

"Smith boasted about lavish holidays and bragged about making thousands of pounds a week. He was also prepared to intimidate and threaten violence in order to undertake his criminal activity.  

"The Island is a safer place with him behind bars for a significant period.

"This long running Operation has resulted in multiple individuals being charged with offences relating to this Organised Crime Group overseen by Smith.

"I would like to add my sincere thanks to the officers engaged in this operation and the prosecution team, who worked tirelessly and professionally to achieve these outcomes. 

"Their commitment and attention to detail has been reflected in the sentences imposed."