Isle of Man law enforcement officers took part in a co-ordinated multi‑agency maritime security operation in the Northwest Irish Sea this week.
The operation against criminal activity was between Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, as partners joined forces under Operation Emstara, from Monday to Friday.
It was coordinated through the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC), the UK’s multi‑agency hub for maritime security.
The primary aim was to disrupt “serious criminality and prevent the exploitation of small ports, fast craft, fishing vessels, and commercial ferries by organised crime groups moving illicit commodities or cash through the Common Travel Area”.
Specialist teams from the Isle of Man Constabulary and Ports Unit, Isle of Man Border Division (Customs and Immigration), Isle of Man Fisheries, Isle of Man Marine Operations Centre, linked with Border Force and Border Security Command, and the Police Marine Units of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Multi‑agency crews and boarding teams worked side‑by‑side with a highly visible presence to deter “maritime threat actors, strengthen intelligence sharing, and reassure coastal and maritime communities”.
It was part of a “unified approach to protecting the region’s coastline and supporting community safety”.
Operation Kraken
Alongside on‑water deployments, Isle of Man Constabulary Ports Unit officers engaged with harbour keepers and coastal communities to raise awareness of Operation Kraken, encouraging the public to report suspicious maritime activity.
It supports vigilance across the maritime community by encouraging boat owners, harbour users and coastal residents to report unusual or concerning behaviour around the coastline.
DCI Chas Maloney of the Isle of Man Constabulary Serious and Organised Crime, Sensitive Intelligence Unit and Port Security, said: “The multi-agency approach was to proactively identify, disrupt, and mitigate the threat, harm, and risk associated with organised crime impacting the Island and its waters.
“A number of vessels were successfully intercepted and stopped by joint teams.
“Crucial itelligence gathered during these interventions is now actively being developed to map, exploit, and dismantle illicit networks, ensuring our maritime borders remain hostile to criminal activity.”
He said work would continue to “ensure that the Isle of Man remains a hostile environment for criminal activity”.