John Myers Jr., Staff ReporterTHE PORT Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), in its move to enhance the security of the island's port facilities, is considering adding a new drug detection equipment called DrugCon.
The new equipment, which is being introduced in Jamaica by the United States-based firm, Global Detection and Reporting Incorporated, uses vapour technology to test for drugs in shipping containers and operates similar to the Ionscan machines installed at the airports.
James Forbes, head of the Port Security Corp, said there were "several other products on the market that we are looking at, including that (DrugCon) product, because we think that given the nature of the drug movement in our region it's important that we pay attention to these new products to see whether or not they can assist our efforts to stem the (drug) trade in our ports."
WIDELY-USED
Mr. Forbes said "(DrugCon) is a good product. It is something that attracted our attention. In fact, we are looking seriously at it." He said the PAJ was currently in negotiations with the manufacturers of the new drug detecting equipment.
In introducing DrugCon, several local companies including representatives of the Ministry of National Security, Kingston Wharves, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and the Customs Department were invited to witness the equipment in action recently.
It is widely-used by United States Customs, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and police departments across the United States.
According to Mr. Forbes, the DrugCon's performance was "impressive". DrugCon is said to cost much less than Ionscan machines and is more efficient than sniffer dogs.
DRUGWIPE
Global Detection and Reporting Inc. also introduced another drug-detecting equipment called DrugWipe. This equipment uses bio-sensor technology to test surfaces for the presence of invisible levels of illegal drug residues in the workplace, schools and homes.
It is enabled to test for cocaine, opiates, methamphetamines, amphetamines and cannabis (ganja) on surfaces, skin and saliva with 99 per cent accuracy, according to a statement from Edeler Holding Corp., which markets the products in the Caribbean.
Edeler Corp has projected that Customs, the police, the PAJ, Kingston Wharves and several related companies will be using both DrugCon and DrugWipe in their operation by June.
