There has been a sharp increase in cases of drugs being imported through the post since the lockdown.

Police said arrests were being made and drugs seized - particularly cannabis and cocaine - on a regular basis, and on occasions several times a day.

Since the border lockdown was imposed on March 21, there have been no fewer than 146 seizures of drugs delivered by post.

Police spokesman Inspector Gavin Callow said: ’What we are finding with the restrictions on travel and with the border controls is that people are finding other ways of bringing in drugs.

’We’ve seen a marked increase in seizures and people arrested since the lockdown.

’We are working with partners to target those who are importing drugs through the post office or courier services.

’Drugs are being seized on a regular basis, sometimes we deal with multiple jobs in a day.’

He said between March 21 and October 15 there have been 146 drug production investigations started by the constabulary relating to drugs being delivered by post.

And he warned: ’There is a very good chance you will get caught, you could face jail and a criminal conviction.’

Last month, Deemster Graeme Cook told a court that a ’ridiculous’ amount of cannabis was being imported - and warned that those involved will be jailed.

He gave the warning as he jailed Owen Baker, aged 28, of Urley Path, Anagh Coar, for 10 months for agreeing to receive £6,000 of cannabis through the post.

On the same day, Mark Taylor, 37, of Waterloo Road, Ramsey, and Jamie Gelling, aged 19, of Braaid Road, St Mark’s, were jailed for 10 months for their part in a plan to import £36,000-worth of cannabis.

Deemster Cook said he wanted to review sentencing guidelines following a separate case in which a man pleaded guilty to drug importation.

Police intercepted a package at the sorting office on May 1 addressed to Kenny Garaty, aged 33, of Parliament Street, Ramsey, which was found to contain cannabis valued at £9,996.

In other recent cases to appear in court, Juan Jack Bashforth, aged 25, of Cushag Road, Douglas, admitted receiving £832 worth of cannabis in the post.

Police were called to the Post Office sorting office on September 26 after a report of a suspicious package addressed to him.

He will be sentenced on November 24.

Alexander George Wiseman, of St Runius Way, Glen Vine, was sentenced to 140 hours’ community service after being £598-worth of cannabis in the post.

Paul Shimmin, 40, of Alder Road, Pulrose, will be sentenced on November 6 after a suspicious package addressed to him was intercepted at the sorting office and found to contain £1,108 worth of cannabis.

Fletcher Nelson, aged 20, of Snugborough Avenue, Union Mills, admitted receiving £1,686 worth of cannabis in two packages in the post.

He will be sentenced on November 6.

Mark Peter Richards, aged 34, of Waverley Terrace, Ramsey, admitted receiving 56 diazepam tablets and 56 pregabalin tablets in the post.

Magistrates adjourned the case until October 29.