Four men have been jailed for smuggling £310,000-worth of cannabis from Whitehaven to the Isle of Man.
John Skillen, 44, Jordan Corkill, 26, Ashley Harrison, 36, and Jamie Smith, 37, were involved in the plot on November 17 2023 on the vessel the Boy Shayne.
Police intercepted the drugs as Skillen, who had driven to Douglas harbour, took possession of a holdall, later found to have 15.5kg of cannabis, with an estimated Isle of Man street value of £310,000 and 98 cannabis vapes containing a gram of THC each, which had an Isle of Man street value upwards of £3,000.
Isle of Man Constabulary said: “Shortly prior to the arrests, it became apparent that further activity had been taking place at sea. A rigid inflatable boat, owned by Ashley Harrsion and piloted by Jordan Bunce had been launched and while it had been navigating the south of the islands coast, it had been damaged.
“It had been destined to meet Boy Shayne out at sea in order to collect the drugs located on board. Both Harrison and Bunce were subsequently arrested in relation to the importation.
“The person responsible for organising the importation was Jamie Smith. He had carefully planned the whole chain of events. He too was arrested.”
At Douglas Courthouse on January 22, Smith, Harrison, Skillen and Corkill, all from the Isle of Man, were sentenced for their involvement.
Smith admitted importation of cannabis and THC vapes and was jailed for five years.
Harrison admitted being concerned in the importation of both the cannabis and THC vapes and was sentenced to three years and 11 months.
Skillen admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of THC vapes with intent to supply, and the importation of both, was jailed for three years and nine months.
Corkill admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis, concerned in the supply of THC vapes, and the importation of both and was sent to prison for three-and-a-half years.
Bunce, who was found guilty of being concerned in the importation of cannabis and THC vapes after a trial, was handed a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years.
After sentencing, Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson, of the Isle of Man Constabulary’s serious & organised crime unit, said: “This was a very well-planned criminal enterprise utilising vessels at sea and it shows the lengths our criminals are willing to go to in order to bring drugs into our island and to evade capture.
“I am pleased to say that yet again the courts have seen fit to impose sentences which reflect the seriousness, planning and sophistication of this importation.
“This is further significant disruption to organised crime groups operating between the North West and the Isle of Man.”
