Emergency Services
‘Considerable Amount’ of Substances and Cash Seized
This follows a fortnight long operation, named Operation Fortress.
The Police say officers have seized a considerable amount of illegal substances and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.
This follows a fortnight long operation, named Operation Fortress, focussed on the island’s borders.
Increased multi-agency patrols have been conducted at the Sea Terminal and Ronaldsway Airport to greet as many sailings and flights as possible, while high visibility patrols have also been conducted at sea, with the occupants of fishing and private vessels spoken to, as well as harbours & beaches.
Patrols have also been conducted at the Post Office in order to track down packages containing drugs or criminal property.
A statement said: ‘We are focussed on deterring criminals and organised crime gangs from coming to the island, protecting vulnerable people, making the Isle of Man harder to target for criminals and increasing intelligence gathering around the ports. This involves the prevention of the importation of illegal drugs onto the Isle of Man and the prevention of the removal of criminal property from the island.
‘Officers on the island have intensified the work we do on island whilst working with our partners in The Isle of Man Customs and Excise, Steampacket, Isle of Man Prison, Fisheries Enforcement, Isle of Man Post Office and our counterparts in Merseyside Police and Lancashire Constabulary. We have also worked closely with Crimestoppers to increase visual awareness and promote intelligence streams through this channel.
‘We are pleased to advise, that Operation Fortress has been a success in the fact we have seized a considerable amount of illegal substances and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, which will ultimately result in those involved in attempting to harm our island being brought to justice. Further to this, the robust approach adopted in our attempts to keep our island safe sends a clear message to those involved that such activities will not be tolerated.’
