A Freedom of Information response has revealed a government grant contributed to the purchase of a fishing boat later used to smuggle drugs.
Five men were jailed over the plot which saw £340,000 worth of drugs brought to the island.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed it provided a grant towards the purchase of the ‘Boy Shayne’ under the Fishing Vessels (Financial Assistance) Scheme 2003.
The grant amounted to 40% of the vessel’s purchase price. However, DFEA refused to disclose the owner’s contribution, citing data protection rules.
The scheme is no longer in operation.