Isle of Man drug seizures rise to record levels, report reveals

Police regularly seize quantities of drugs at the island's port

Drug seizures in the Isle of Man have risen almost three-fold over the past three years, new data has revealed.

Figures from the island's chief constable show "record amounts" of Class A and B substances were recovered during the 2017-18 financial year.

Police said the street value of the drugs came to nearly £900,000.

Amphetamine seizures saw the biggest spike, increasing from a street value of £62 three years ago to between £2,190 and £3,285.

The figures emerged in Chief Constable Gary Roberts' annual report, which looked at changes since 2015-16.

The overall street value of drugs in that financial year was just over £300,000.

Police dogs are regularly used in drugs searches

Cocaine also saw a large increase, with the street value of seizures increasing from £26,756 in 2015-16 to between £92,862 and £130,007.

The number of cannabis plants seized increased by 58%, and the amount of prepared cannabis confiscated almost trebled.

Graham Clucas, of trauma support charity Quing, said people "should be concerned" about the rise.

He added: "What we should be asking is why our society is taking more drugs - both prescribed and illicit - and not dealing with the root cause.

"We are reacting to a symptom rather than proactively dealing with the root cause."

Chief Constable Roberts said the rise in seizures was a sign of "increased police activity, which is often a sign of police effectiveness".