Cocaine use is an increasing problem on the Island, according to an acting Deemster.
Alistair Montgomery made the comment as he sentenced a man to four years in jail for drugs offences.
Twenty year old Paul Anthony Hayes, of Close Rushen in Castletown, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis resin.
Howard Caine has the details (audio file attached:)
Rachel Braidwood, prosecuting, said police carried out a drug search at the defendant's home in Port Erin on November 4.
Ten grammes of cocaine and 66.8 grammes of cannabis were recovered.
The drugs had a total street value of ?996.
Also found was a packet of glucose and scales.
Hayes was completely co-operative with police. He said he sold the cocaine to his friends for cost price and that funded his drug habit.
His advocate said Hayes had been very co-operative, he was now off cocaine altogether and receiving medication to help him get clear of drugs altogether. He had a long history of anxiety.
Mr Montgomery said the aggravating fact was the quantity of cocaine.
(Picture of Douglas courthouse)
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