Government paid grant for fishing boat used in drug smuggling plot

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it paid 40 per cent of the cost of a fishing boat which was involved in smuggling £340,000 worth of drugs to the Island.

A Freedom of Information request asked about government assistance to buy the Boy Shane - five men have been jailed over the smuggling plot in 2023.

In its response, the department said it had given a 40 per cent grant to buy the boat under its Fishing Vessels Financial Assistance Scheme.

Jamie Smith, John Skillen, Jordan Corkill, Ashley Harrison and Jordan Halligan-Bunce were all jailed for their involvement after police seized 15.5kg of cannabis worth £310,000 and 98 cannabis vapes worth £3,000.