Trio arrested after £310k drugs bust on Manx fishing vessel

A skipper, crew member and owner have all been arrested following the alleged discovery of a significant amount of cannabis onboard their fishing vessel.

Skipper of the Boy Shayne PL 777 Jordan Corkill, deckhand Liam Lewis and vessel owner John Joseph Skillen all appeared in court on the Isle of Man last week in connection with the seizure of £310,000-worth of cannabis following the vessel’s arrival into Douglas at 9.45pm on Friday, 17 November.

A total of 15.5kg of cannabis was found in a holdall onboard the vessel, along with 98 tetrahydrocannabinol vapes with a street value of £3,000.

A significant amount of cannabis was allegedly found onboard the Boy Shayne PL 777 following its arrival into Douglas from Whitehaven. (Photo: Darren Purves)

Mr Corkill, 26, of Peel, and Mr Lewis, 26, of Sulby Glen, were both charged with the unlawful supply and production of cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol, and were remanded in custody.

Isle of Man Today reported that Mr Corkill, who had his bail application refused, was committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery on 24 November. The case against Mr Lewis was adjourned to appear before the deputy high bailiff on 28 November.

Mr Skillen, 43, of Foxdale, is charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and being concerned in its production to the island. He was granted bail by deputy high bailiff Rachael Braidwood, with a recognisance of £500 and surety of £20,000, and a condition that he reside at his home address and observe a 10pm to 6am curfew. His case was adjourned until 5 December.

A fourth man has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

The Boy Shayne (pictured above) has been seized.

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.

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