Island's drug clampdown campaign

Manx police said drugs worth £376,776 were seized in 2008-9

Anyone caught bringing drugs into the Isle of Man risks being jailed for up to 14 years, Manx police warned as they started a clampdown on trafficking.

Posters, leaflets and even beer mats are being used to promote the campaign at airports, ports and ferry terminals.

Most of the drugs originate from the Merseyside area and mostly come through Liverpool or Heysham ports, police said.

The campaign is financed through money seized from drug dealers.

'Enviable record'

Police and Manx government officials will be targeting travellers to and from the island at Liverpool John Lennon and Blackpool airports, as well as Douglas, Heysham and Merseyside ferry ports.

Chief Constable Mike Langdon said: "The Isle of Man Constabulary has an enviable record in detecting crime.

"The island has many advantages over others in preventing the supply of drugs and not only are the opportunities for detection higher than elsewhere, the preventative sentences are real and meaningful."

The latest police annual report said Isle of Man drug seizures were valued at £376,776 in 2008-09.

The report noted an increase in drug-related offences to a total of 295.