A police surveillance campaign has resulted in more than 10 arrests at Isle of Man ports since borders reopened.

Operation Strongbox, a campaign intended to tackle any issues that may arise after the borders reopened, is in its sixth week of operation.

According to police, they have engaged with 1,500 vehicles and 1,000 foot passengers at the Sea Terminal, resulting in 125 searches taking place.

First launched on June 28 when the borders reopened, operation Strongbox set out to monitor ports, freight and passengers to deal with any potential increase in drug trafficking and money-laundering.

There have been more than 10 arrests for various offences.

These crimes included the possession of Class A drugs with the intention of onward supply to the island and illegally held firearms believed to be destined for criminal purposes.

Police have arrested people attempting to leave the island carrying significant quantities of cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.

The statement said the police are ’welcoming people to the island and focusing on intelligence led searching’ but they would also carry out routine stops with their partners at Isle of Man Customs and Excise.

A police spokesperson said: ’The operation has been a great success up to this point.

’The partnership working, which is a key factor, has been spot on and we know that will continue.’

They continue to work with Lancashire Constabulary, which operates at Heysham Port, and Merseyside Police, located at the Liverpool dock, to deter criminals from travelling to the island.

It was stated that they are continuing to take drugs out of the postal and freight systems.

Counterfeit goods have been detected with the help of customs.

The statement said that some of their work has ’inevitably meant [they] have ended up dealing with people for breaching Covid regulations’.

Police operate with masks and gloves around the ports as a precautionary measure.

They have been working in partnership with Crimestoppers for the operation.