An Onchan compliance senior just days from retirement and his junior partner from Sulby have foiled a Mexican drug cartel.

Both had been suspended from their roles in a large Isle of Man financial institution over irregular Know Your Customer procedures – thought to be behind reports of speedboat chases and gunfire last month.

And when a corporate service provider with links to “gringo nosecandy” phoned one of the men at home, making it personal, the crimefighters infiltrated its building and freed hostages but were unable to prevent its chief executive falling to his death from the roof.

Their actions have now earned them a bravery award they’ll accept jointly – ironically, as sources inside the compliance department say the two men initially hated each other.