Officers seized financial documents and electronic devices, but did not make any arrests in a series of discreet and coordinated raids. A special unit of the National Crime Service is believed to have been secretly investigating allegations of PPE fraud for about a year. The controversy continued the huge demand for PPE in early 2020, as the government struggled to find enough clothes and masks to protect the health and other key workers at the height of the pandemic. Some supply companies made huge profits at the expense of the taxpayer and sometimes failed to deliver on their promises, with lower PPE standards being rejected. Isle of Man police are investigating after talks with the NCA, which has no jurisdiction over the island, a self-imposed dependence on the British crown and a tax haven. IOM police told Sky News: “The Isle of Man Police, in support of an ongoing NCA investigation, have carried out search warrants at four addresses in the Isle of Man. No arrests have been made.” Read more: Nearly 9 9 billion spent on PPP during coronavirus pandemic Analysis: Matt Hancock blames Public Health in England for COVID failures in 2020, but he did not tell me that The NCA said: “The NCA does not regularly confirm or deny the existence of investigations or the names of those who may or may not be under investigation.” It is understood that several targets of the researchers could be invited for an interview in the coming weeks.
