Phillips
Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
GANJA VALUED at J$40 billion and 1,564 kilograms of cocaine worth J$560 million were seized across the country this year and the Government believes it is winning the battle against drug trafficking.
"I think we are making some very significant progress, but we need to do more," Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, told The Sunday Gleaner yesterday, promising that next year the Government will strengthen legislation and further counter narcotics operations.
"Our task is to make the cost of doing drugs business so great that Jamaica won't be an attractive place for trade. And in that regard we have made definite progress," he pointed out.
The Security Minister made special mention of the onshore and offshore seizures that might not have been highlighted and the significant amount of cash confiscated.
"Sometimes the results show up in another jurisdiction or international waters. But we have been active partners," Dr. Phillips noted.
More than $2.5 billion worth of ganja, and cocaine valued at $90.5 million were seized at the Bustamante Port in Kingston alone this year. The value of these seizures are far more than last year, but way below the figures for 2001, when cocaine estimated at $150 million and ganja valued at $5.2 billion were confiscated on the wharves.
In all, there were 23 seizures of which 13 were ganja weighing 83 kilograms, nine were cocaine weighing 69 kilograms and one containing firearms and ammunitions.
Omar Walker, director of the Jamaica Customs' Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) told The Sunday Gleaner the final destination for these contrabands spread across the hemisphere with the United States being the major target area. On seven occasions, they have intercepted contraband destined for the U.S. Other destinations were Antigua, Bahamas, St. Martin and Britain.
The authorities confiscated drugs that had entered Jamaica from the U.S. and Curacao, on nine occasions.
But even while the Government is upbeat about the progress made so far, Senior Superintendent of Police, Carl Williams, head of the Narcotics Division, still sees a battle on their hand.
"With all the resources in the world, we are not going to be able to stop it all," he said.
According to SSP Williams, there is no question of winning or losing the war on drug trafficking.
THE BATTLE MUST CONTINUE
"The real issue of the day is that the battle must continue. If we give up, that's when the war is lost.
"There is a demand in consuming countries and the countries that are supplying have an ever-ready source of supply. Jamaica is caught in the middle as we are a transhipment country," he said.
Although less drugs are getting through the system it doesn't mean that all is well.
"It will always be coming our way. As soon as we close one avenue it will pass through some other avenue. We are always going to be exploited as goods will be passing through our borders and airspace," Williams warns.
