Jamaica Customs News In Review
Twelve JCA officers graduate from the “Train the Trainer Modular Container Search Training”
The JCA’S efforts in protecting Jamaica’s borders and the Jamaican people continue to be propelled through partnerships with stakeholders. With assistance from the United Kingdom Border Force and the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section of the U.S. Embassy, the JCA increased its human resource capacity in Container Searches to assist in facilitating proper trade while combating mechanisms used by criminals.
On April 1, 2022, twelve (12) JCA trainees graduated from the “Train the Trainer Modular Container Search Training.” According to graduate Blonde Wilson, this programme will enable Officers of the Agency to conduct strategic searches of containers entering the island, either targeted or intensive, search cargo documents for anomalies, identify smuggling indicators, ascertain the correct origin and destination of thecontainer as well as ensure sustainability giving the trainees the ability and confidence to train other colleagues.
Mrs. Velma Ricketts Walker, Commissioner of Customs highlighted that the training’s desired output is for officers to systematically and thoroughly examine containers through increased capacity and sophisticated technology. “Equipping our frontline officers with knowledge, skills and competencies to conduct searches of vessels and cargo containers will augment their capability to intercept contraband more effectively,” she said.
continue to enhance empowerment in maintaining Jamaica Customs Agency’s vigilance in border protection, trade facilitation and revenue collection.
The British High Commission and the US Embassy has vowed to continue collaborating with the Jamaican Government through the Jamaica Customs Agency, by pooling knowledge and resources to combat illicit activities across Jamaica’s borders, securing the country and the region and the region.
The JCA continues its crime-fighting efforts through partnerships with the UK Border Force
As the Jamaica Customs Agency continued its fight against crime within and across borders, it ensured to garner support from overseas partners in this fight. In March 2022, the continued relationship between the Agency and the United Kingdom Border Force International was maintained through various initiatives.
On March 29, 2022, the JCA’S CEO/ Commissioner, Velma Ricketts Walker and British High Commissioner, Judith Slater, signed a Memorandum of Understanding highlighting their partnership to crippling cross border criminal activities. In the same light, the UK Border Force handed over close to fifty (50) Radiation Kits to help in enhancing JCA’S operations while ensuring the safety of JCA Officers.
The JCA also received a grant of Twenty-two Million Jamaican dollars ($22mil) to assist with the acquisition of a new Intelligence Management System. The Intelligence Analysis Database will bring a modern and inclusive approach to Border Protection
for the JCA and will facilitate and boost the agency’s intelligence in order to tackle cross border-related crimes which will be of great benefit to national and international spheres.
Customs Week 2023 Supplement
The system will allow for “greater intelligence sharing, a cohesive response to threats and strict enforcement of laws and cooperation of international partners” as stated by Commissioner Ricketts Walker, “to increasingly defeat domestic and transnational crime.” The Jamaica Customs Agency will not relent with its crime fighting efforts.
Jamaica Customs Agency propels its border protection efforts through the Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence Programme
The Jamaica Customs Agency continues to find ways through partnerships to ensure the protection of our borders and the safety of our people. Though a major focus of our border protection mandate is the deterrence and detection/seizure of contraband to include guns, drugs and illicit goods, the JCA has been ensuring to protect the nation against any possible man-made threats such as, radiation exposure or terrorist attacks.
As a part of this proactive measure, the Agency partnered with the United States Department of Energy/national Nuclear Security Administration’s Office for the Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence programme. For the past thirteen (13) years the programme, formerly known as Megaports Initiative, sees local border regulatory bodies working alongside Customs to plan, execute and evaluate exercise activities in relation to radiological or nuclear smuggling threat
response.
One such activity was the Tabletop Exercise (TTX) hosted by the National Nuclear Security Administration between June 28th and 30th 2022. The exercise among organisations to include the JCA, International Center for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), JDF, Jamaica Fire Brigade, KFTL, ODPEM, Port Authority of Jamaica and others, saw strengthened interagency coordination, clarification regarding each entities responsibility in responding to possible threats and information and resource sharing and coordination.
UK government boosts Jamaica Customs’ ability to detect drugs and firearms
The Jamaica Customs Agency’s ability to interdict contraband imported into the country has been bolstered through the acquisition of four Buster Density Meters donated by the UK government valued at over three (3) million JMD.
The state-of-the-art equipment was handed over at an official ceremony held at Port Royal on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. Marlon Lowe, Deputy CEO, Border Protection at Jamaica Customs Agency, expressed gratitude to the UK government for the donation, which he noted will strengthen the Agency’s ability to fulfill its border protection mandate through a quicker and more efficient scanning of concealed contraband.