The unprecedented security measures, which will close Hill Street every morning and evening as prisoners are ferried to and from the court room, were initially subject to reporting restrictions.

However, following an application by the media yesterday lunchtime, UK High Court judge Sir Richard Tucker agreed that the public should know why armed officers were patrolling the streets.

Six men charged with a £1 million plot to import a commercial quantity of cannabis into the Island were escorted in and out of the building from a prison van. Everyone entering the Royal Court building, including lawyers, the public and the media, were searched with hand-held metal detectors. Their bags were also emptied and searched while officers with guns stood guard.

Jonathan Welsh (43) and Curtis Warren (46), both of Liverpool, James O’Brien (44), from Glasgow, Jason Woodward (22), of Dartford and Paul Hunt (27) and Oliver Lucas (23), both of Jersey, are charged with conspiracy to import cannabis into Jersey between 1 May and 23 July 2007. All six deny the charges.