Trafficker involved in fishing boat drug plot jailed

A drugs trafficker who played a "leading role" in importing drugs to the Isle of Man including helping to arrange the delivery of cannabis in a fishing boat has been jailed.

Liam Dunne, 39, was found to be a "facilitator" in a plot to import up to £309,000 of the drug and 98 vapes laced with THC on a boat called the Boy Shane on 17 November 2023.

He also acted as a "conduit" as up to £69,000 of heroin was concealed in a package of silicon tubes on 17 July that year, Douglas Courthouse heard.

Jailing Dunne for 12 years, Deemster Graeme Cook said: "You made the arrangements and got others to do your dirty work. You were quite high up in the organised crime group, playing a leading role."

For the heroin offence, investigations found that Dunne had used a burner phone to contact Shaun Milligan who was involved on the Isle of Man, and an unknown person in Liverpool, also involved.

Milligan was jailed for 11 years in February 2024, along with Frank Harrison who received seven years, with the parcel being addressed to him.

Meanwhile, a covert operation targeting another member of the organised crime group revealed that Dunne was involved in importing cannabis and THC.

It was revealed on a phone call that Dunne had driven up to Whitehaven in Cumbria to drop off a black holdall which contained the drugs and vapes, to be picked up by the crew of the Boy Shane.

The 33-year-old was also found to have received £139,000 in illicit bank transfers - including £83,010 from Manx residents - between January 2021 and November 2023.

Dunne, of Burlington Street, Liverpool, was arrested on 17 August 2025 as he returned to the UK from Spain, where he had been living for eight months.

A warrant was issued and he was brought back to the island the following day.

He pleaded guilty to being concerned in importing heroin, cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and participating in a criminal organisation.

Cook said: "The prosecution says you are a leading figure in trafficking drugs to the Isle of Man and the removal of cash proceeds of that drug trafficking out of the island and back to the UK."

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