Police thwart illegal pesticide smuggling ring

Inspection and Enforcement Officers of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and the Guyana Police Force collaborated to thwart an illegal pesticide smuggling operation in Corentyne, Berbice. At 23:00 hrs on Sunday last, police and inspectors of the PTCCB raided a home at Crabwood Creek Backland, Grant 1779, Corentyne, Berbice, and confiscated approximately 300 kilograms of illegal or unregistered pesticides, among other contraband items.

Registrar of the PTCCB, Mrs. Trecia Garnath said that the Board strongly condemns acts of this nature given the major health and environmental impacts these chemicals pose: “The global trade in counterfeit and illegal pesticides is growing. With increasing quantities of fake and illegal pesticides being produced, marketed and sold by organized criminal groups around the world, there are greater risks to the safety of handlers, farmers, consumers and the environment.” The PTCCB regards the substances as highly hazardous pesticides, which pose significant risks to human health, agricultural production, economic trade and the environment.

As a result, they will be taking legal action against the homeowner for possession of illegal/unregistered pesticides with intent to distribute, sell or use. The board has also indicated that its officers are investigating further intelligence gathered to curb the illegal trade of counterfeit pesticides into Guyana.

A release from the Ministry of Agriculture said, “Undeclared active ingredients in counterfeit and illegal products can leave unacceptable residues on produce, rendering goods unfit for market. As the content of counterfeit and illegal products is unknown, their use can pose a high risk to farmers, their crops, the environment and consumers.”

(Kaieteur News)