Caught Dumping The Cargo: Two Men Jailed Over 372-lb Ganja Haul At Sea

By Alric Lindsay

Charles Michael Austin Ebanks and Roberto Alden Jackson were sentenced in the Summary Court today, July 15, 2026, for possession of a large quantity of Ganja after they were caught at sea trying to throw the drugs overboard as the authorities approached. Each man received just over 40 months imprisonment.

The facts

The Chief Magistrate summarised the facts noting that, on July 16, 2025, officers from the Air Operations Unit spotted a blue-and-white canoe-type vessel about a mile from shore long the north coast, near Old Man Bay, Northside. Two people were on board, along with numerous fuel drums and packages under a blue tarpaulin. The Coast Guard was called, and while they were en route one of the men was seen throwing packages overboard — at least 15 of which were later recovered. The quantity mentioned by the Chief Magistrate was over 372 pounds.

Regarding the men’s pleas, they reportedly pled guilty to possession with intent to supply, contrary to section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The sentencing

The Chief Magistrate set a starting point of 48 months, noting that an uplift is warranted locally given the prevalence of such offences and their “limited deterrent effect.”

Applying the principles in UK sentencing guidance and case law, the Chief Magistrate found both men played a “significant role” — motivated by financial gain — rather than a lesser one, and rejected the defence’s “opportunistic find on a fishing trip” account, noting the men “were very well aware of what they were doing.”

Prior to the delivery of the sentence, the following aggravating factors were noted:

** the attempt to discard the drugs

** extensive records — Ebanks with 28 prior convictions (7 drug-related), Jackson with 46 convictions (10 drug-related), and Jackson being on court bail at the time of a further offence.

In terms of mitigating factors, it was noted that both men struggle with serious drug addiction (Ebanks with a history of abuse and trauma; Jackson dependent on crack cocaine);

Both were assessed as very high risk of re-offending.

The Chief Magistrate took the starting point of 48 months, increased it to 60 for the aggravating features, applied a 10-month adjustment for personal circumstances, then a 20% guilty-plea discount (reduced from the usual one-third because the case against them was “overwhelming”) — reaching 40 months on the drugs matter.

Other matters

In addition to the foregoing, the Chief Magistrate noted the following traffic offences for Ebanks:

** driving without insurance (two previous offences)

** driving without being qualified (two previous offences)

** using an unregistered vehicle (a Yamaha motorbike)

The Chief Magistrate noted that the Summary Court adopts a “three strikes and you’re out” policy in relation to these offences.  Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate laid down the following sentence for the traffic offences:

** driving without insurance: 12 months’ disqualification from September 2025 and one month imprisonment

** driving without being qualified: two months’ imprisonment

** using an unregistered vehicle: no separate penalty imposed

Regarding Jackson, the Chief Magistrate noted he was charged with disorderly conduct at the detention centre (shown on CCTV yelling at officers).  In addition, Jackson had a further Ganja charge (found on court bail), and two counts of failing to surrender.

Taking all the matters into consideration and a further 4 months’ reduction for time spent on electronic monitors and curfew, the total sentence for Ebanks was 38 months’ imprisonment and 40 months and 14 days for Jackson. Some charges ran concurrently and others ran consecutively.  Time already served will be deducted from the foregoing.

All drugs and the canoe were ordered forfeited, although one of the man argued that he took the boat without permission and the owners were seeking to have it returned to them.

The men have a right of appeal.