PRECURSOR CHEMICALS

Current Mandate

““To suppress the importation and transhipment of To suppress the importation and transhipment of

illicit drugs into and through Trinidad and Tobago illicit drugs into and through Trinidad and Tobago

by the development of an integrated interdiction by the development of an integrated interdiction

strategy and the co-ordination and facilitation of strategy and the co-ordination and facilitation of

the efforts of all relevant agencies in the the efforts of all relevant agencies in the

implementation of the strategy.”implementation of the strategy.”

Functions

“Act as an office for the centralizing of information that

could facilitate the detection and prevention of illicit

traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and

precursor chemicals, for co-ordinating operations for

the suppression of illicit trafficking and drug related

matters and for co-operating with the Services or the

corresponding Services of other countries.”

National Strategy to Eliminate Illicit Production and Trafficking of

Drugs Produced Naturally or Synthetically and to Promote Related

Control Measures (2005 – 2009). Approved by Cabinet in 2004.

Objective 11 requires that the Agency prevent the Diversion of

Precursor Chemicals and … Promote the Monitoring of Controlled

Drugs…

Approved National Strategy

Regulating Precursor Chemicals

At present Precursor Chemicals are currently regulated under the

following Acts of Parliament:

Dangerous Drug Act (1991) as amended in 1994 and 2000

Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act, 1979

Food and Drugs Act, Chapter 30:01

The following Ministries/Agencies have specific responsibilities:

Ministry of Health – Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division, Drugs Inspectorate

Ministry of National Security – Strategic Services Agency (SSA), TTPS

Ministry of Finance – Customs and Excise Division

Installation of the National Drug Control System (NDS) in 2008

Relevance to Trinidad & Tobago

Domestic Imperatives

Trinidad and Tobago possesses a petrochemical sector and other chemical-based industries which use precursor chemicals such as toluene, methyl ethyl ketone and sulphuric acid

Trinidad and Tobago’s geographic location in relation to drug transhipment routes and illicit drug production centres within the Western Hemisphere.

Relevance to Trinidad & Tobago

Correspondingly, Trinidad and Tobago has a responsibility to prevent the illegal diversion of precursor chemicals at any stage of the supply chain within its jurisdiction or control.

This responsibility is registered in: The 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit

Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission

Anti-Drug Strategy for the Hemisphere (1996)

International Convention Requirements

The 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission Anti-Drug Strategy for the Hemisphere (1996)

require states and parties to establish mechanisms through their designated national entities to control the import, export, use and diversion of precursor chemicals.

Implementing Mechanism With regard to the aforementioned a Precursor Chemical

Team was established by Cabinet in 2003.

Composition:

Forensic Science Centre Drug Inspectorate Chemistry Food and Drugs Division Customs and Excise Division Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Ministry of the Attorney General Strategic Services Agency

Implementing Mechanism Mandate:

Develop a Draft National Precursor Chemical Policy and

Strategy

Submit Draft Legislation (consistent with UN and Inter-

American benchmarks) for the consideration of Cabinet

Products of the Team:Products of the Team:

Proposed Policy Paper on Precursor Chemicals Proposed Policy Paper on Precursor Chemicals - - this Paper this Paper delivers a comprehensive assessment of the current state of delivers a comprehensive assessment of the current state of institutional and legislative arrangements that exist in Trinidad institutional and legislative arrangements that exist in Trinidad and Tobago and which primarily recommends the enactment of and Tobago and which primarily recommends the enactment of Precursor Chemical Legislation. Precursor Chemical Legislation.

Draft Bill of the Act to provide for the monitoring and Draft Bill of the Act to provide for the monitoring and control of precursor chemicals and other substancescontrol of precursor chemicals and other substances - to - to give effect to this provision a Precursor Chemical Unit will be give effect to this provision a Precursor Chemical Unit will be established within the framework of the Act to function at established within the framework of the Act to function at operational level. operational level.

Implementing Mechanism

Implementing Mechanism

In 2007, the Team was mandated by a Committee of Cabinet to

review the Policy and Draft Legislation in collaboration with wider

stakeholder members such as:

Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Commercial sector entities inclusive of:

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA),

Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce,

Current Business Given the urgent need to improve local

precursor chemical control, and having regard to the wide body of stakeholders (Government Ministries and the Industrial and Business sectors), that would be affected by the proposed Policy and Legislation, as well as the inherent complexities in reconciling various interests, a decision was taken to adopt a strategic management approach.

Current Business

The SSA has approached the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to introduce the PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) project management methodology to assist in the fulfilment of Cabinet’s directive.

Expected Outcomes:

Completion of the Draft Bill - incorporating expanded commentary of new members of the Precursor Chemical Team. When passed, the Act would represent consolidated legislation that is relevant and implementable across all stakeholder jurisdictions.

Establishment of the Precursor Chemical Unit to discharge the functions articulated in the proposed legislation

Expected Outcomes

THE END Thank You