Government reports major progress on border enforcement, with new powers and technology driving significant drug and cash seizures.
It follows the tightening of border enforcement as part of the Securing Our Island Strategy.
Ports policing transferred to the Isle of Man Constabulary in February 2025, leading to enhanced checks at harbours and airports.
Combined policing and Customs activity, including the deployment of detector dogs, resulted in around £1.1million in drugs and £250,000 in cash being seized in 2025/26. A further £500,000 in illicit drugs was intercepted through postal and freight operations.
Securing Our Island
Legislation enabling Automatic Number Plate Recognition is now in place, with full deployment at ports expected shortly.
The update also highlights improved intelligence sharing with UK and Irish agencies, including the National Crime Agency, UK police forces and the Garda.
Alongside enforcement, immigration reforms have been introduced to reduce opportunities for system abuse, including closing the Tier 1 (Investor) and Seasonal Worker routes, raising salary thresholds and tightening rules on who can provide immigration advice.
The Sequential Labour Market Test now requires employers to recruit locally or within the Common Travel Area before looking overseas.
Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole‑Wilson MHK said the progress shows Government is taking a “proactive and coordinated approach” to protecting the island, while further work on technology and data‑sharing continues.
