Chemical Forensics Will Aid Police Investigations
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
July 27, 2009 (CUOPM)
The skills of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force will soon be sharpened when one of its officers completes a Precursor Chemical Course later this month in Jamaica.
Constable Mark Handley is in training at the Caribbean Drug Law Enforcement Training Center in Jamaica.
The course is designed for officers involved in the Legislative Process and Drug Law Enforcement, and in controlling the importation, exportation, storage and distribution of chemicals.
The main objectives of the course are to help participants fully understand precursor chemicals, how they are diverted into the illegal markets and the manufacturing process of illegal drugs. They will also be exposed to the necessary safety precautions and how to conduct clandestine lab investigations.
The areas of focus include chemical identification, chemical diversion, methods of diversion, trafficking routes, trends in chemical trafficking, establishing chemical diversion programmes, clandestine lab investigations and setting up an audit.
Manufacture of cocaine, manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA, marijuana oil labs, chemical safety and handling, the international chemical industry, and international legislation, treaties and conventions on control of chemical diversion are also part of the training programme.
At the end of the training, participants should be more cognizant of regional and international laws and regulations governing the movement and enforcement controls of precursor chemicals and its implications for money laundering and asset forfeiture.
Toxicology Consultant and Forensic Alcohol Drug Expert, Mr. Wayne Jeffery, and Chemical Expert, Mr. Glen Evans, both of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) comprise the course coordinators along with other local experts from the Jamaica Forensic Lab and Royal Jamaica Police Force.
The course is set to afford participants an excellent opportunity to discuss the issues associated with precursor chemicals.