2018 search warrant info revealed
Data released to Manx Radio following a Freedom of Information request shows details of every property search since 1 January, where just nine per cent of drug raids carried out by the police have led to charges.
Officers are granted search warrants through the Police Powers and Procedures Act 1998, if a justice of the peace is satisfied there are 'reasonable grounds a serious arrestable offence has been committed.'
In numbers:
• 33 involuntary search warrants* have been issued by police since 1st January 2018 to the date of FOI (17/09/18)
• 5 forced entries
• 15 arrests
• 3 charges
• £80,610 recovered
• 75% of raids found minimal to no drugs
• 5 police officer average in attendance
*voluntary, vehicle and searches following a prior arrest are excluded in the results