46 arrests during Island's 'Operation Strongbox'

Nearly 50 arrests were made and a quarter of a million pounds seized during the Island's 'Operation Strongbox'.

The operation - launched by Police in June aimed to crack down on cross-border crime.

Speaking at a conference this morning, Superintendent Stephen Maddocks revealed there was 46 arrests in total - 23 at the Sea Terminal and 23 triggered from the postal and courier system.

Further, almost a quarter of a million pounds of combined drugs and cash were seized.

This included 243.7g of Heroin, 24.45g of Cocaine and 4,638.3g of Cannabis - taking its combined street value to £218,975.

Sgt. Maddocks says Its main aims were to provide high visibility policing at the Island's ports and to deter criminals and crime groups coming to the Island.

Throughout the operation local police worked alongside Merseyside North West Regional Crime Unit and Lancashire Constabulary.

Drawing to a close at the end of October -  officers have called the operation 'a success' - adding it 'met the aims and objectives it set out to achieve'.