Chemical Control In Jamaica

1. Chemical Control In Jamaica Jason D. Samuels Ministry of National Security

2. Legislation • The Precursor Chemicals Act 1999. • It provides for the monitoring and the control of precursor chemicals and other chemical substances used or capable of being used in any type of illicit transaction involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances or other substances having a similar effect.

3. Control Agents • Central Authority – National Intelligence Bureau in the Ministry of National Security • Competent Authority- Pharmaceutical Services Division of the Ministry of Health • Jamaica Customs Department • Jamaica Constabulary Force • Jamaica Defense Force • Inspectors

4. Pharmaceutical Division • Carry out the monitoring, control and investigation of matters in relation to the production, manufacture, preparation, distribution, importation or exportation of precursor chemicals and of other specified chemical substances • Ensure the application of a surveillance system on any movement of specified chemical substances into or out of Jamaica • To grant licences in respect of to the production, manufacture, preparation, distribution, importation or exportation of precursor chemicals and of other specified chemical substances

5. Pharmaceutical Division • To grant licences in respect of to the production, manufacture, preparation, distribution, importation or exportation of precursor chemicals and significant quantity of other chemical substances • To grant export or import permits in respect of any specified chemical substance • To assist in promoting public awareness of the potential illicit use of specified chemical substances in the manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

6. Licences and Permit • A person who proposes to engage in any activity pertaining to the monitored chemicals shall to apply to the competent authority for a licences to conduct such business. • Persons importing or exporting a specified chemical are to be holders of a valid licences and should make a separate application in respect of each specified chemical substance.

7. Licences and Permit • Applications for licences and permits attract a fee. • The competent authority may suspend or revoke or suspend a licences for breaches of the Legislation

8. Registers • The competent authority is expected to keep a register which contains information on the activities of importers, exporters, manufacturers and producers of chemicals • Each licences and permit holder is expected to hold a register of their activities. This register is held for a period of five years and be inspected as the authorities

9. Information kept in Register • The name of permit holder and address • The date of grant of permit or licence • The name of the chemical • The main activity of the licences/permit holder • Inventory activities- import, export, working stock and stock lost • Transactions conducted- whom, where, what and transportation

10. Commercial Documents • Every commercial document should include name of the substance; names and addresses of the exporter, importer and the supplier; and the registration of the vehicle used in transportation • Where the competent authority issues an import permit, the importer should forward a copy of the permit to the exporter • Within 14 days of entry in Jamaica of importation the competent authority should send copies of the relevant authority in the exporting country.

11. Current Situation • The competent authority has limited resources • The current system of issuing and licences is not computerized but paper based • There is no electronic integration between different agencies

12. Corrective Measures • Increase the capacity of the Competent Authority • Computerise the issuing of licences and permits • Have integration of systems between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Security and Jamaica Customs • Expand the scope of integration internationally