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Trinidad group calls for temporary ban on imports coming via J’can ports
Citing recent incidents where ganja was found on cargo shipments from Jamaica, Trinidad's Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) has called for importers and customs brokers in that country to temporarily suspend the use of shipping lines which use Jamaican ports.
DOMA contends that contraband or illegal items can be smuggled into the twin island republic.
The group has also appealed to customs authorities to automatically screen all containers being shipped through Jamaica.
In a release on the weekend, DOMA expressed concerns about the discovery of one ton of ganja in a container at the Point Lisas Port last week which was valued at $30 million dollars.
The container of chicken parts and beef originated from the United States, but the ship made a stop in Jamaica before docking at Point Lisas.
DOMA pointed out that this was not the first time that containers originating in countries without marijuana production had arrived in Trinidad with illicit substance.
Declaring that importers who engage in the practice must be stopped, DOMA claimed there was an abject lack of security at the Port in Kingston, which was being exploited by persons in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
In light of this, DOMA urged importers and customs brokers in Trinidad and Tobago to temporarily suspend dealings with shipping lines passing through Jamaica.
It says only shipping lines which provide certifiable guarantees that containers will be free from tampering or invasions by ganja exporters in Jamaica should be allowed to dock in Trinidad.
DOMA has advised local legitimate importers to request screening of their containers at the local point of entry until safety and security return to the Port of Kingston.
Knee jerk reaction – Tufton
In the meantime, Dr. Christopher Tufton, the Minister of Commerce, is describing DOMA's call as a knee jerk reaction.
According to him, the transportation of contraband as part of legitimate cargo is of concern to all CARICOM member states and should be fought on a united front.
"That drastic position would be premature and in a sense a knee jerk reaction, which really wouldn’t solve the problem and would create quite a few more. Clearly, the illicit transshipment of either drugs or guns is something that we all have to be concerned about and it’s something that I think CARICOM, as a regional body, needs to focus on a lot more in terms of dealing with.
"We do not encourage the transshipment of illicit items, what we have to do therefore is investigate each incident and find a way to solve it," Dr. Tufton said adding that his ministry stands ready to help fight the scourge in any way it can.
Trinidad group calls for temporary ban on imports coming via J’can ports
Citing recent incidents where ganja was found on cargo shipments from Jamaica, Trinidad's Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) has called for importers and customs brokers in that country to temporarily suspend the use of shipping lines which use Jamaican ports.
DOMA contends that contraband or illegal items can be smuggled into the twin island republic.
The group has also appealed to customs authorities to automatically screen all containers being shipped through Jamaica.
In a release on the weekend, DOMA expressed concerns about the discovery of one ton of ganja in a container at the Point Lisas Port last week which was valued at $30 million dollars.
The container of chicken parts and beef originated from the United States, but the ship made a stop in Jamaica before docking at Point Lisas.
DOMA pointed out that this was not the first time that containers originating in countries without marijuana production had arrived in Trinidad with illicit substance.
Declaring that importers who engage in the practice must be stopped, DOMA claimed there was an abject lack of security at the Port in Kingston, which was being exploited by persons in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
In light of this, DOMA urged importers and customs brokers in Trinidad and Tobago to temporarily suspend dealings with shipping lines passing through Jamaica.
It says only shipping lines which provide certifiable guarantees that containers will be free from tampering or invasions by ganja exporters in Jamaica should be allowed to dock in Trinidad.
DOMA has advised local legitimate importers to request screening of their containers at the local point of entry until safety and security return to the Port of Kingston.
Knee jerk reaction – Tufton
In the meantime, Dr. Christopher Tufton, the Minister of Commerce, is describing DOMA's call as a knee jerk reaction.
According to him, the transportation of contraband as part of legitimate cargo is of concern to all CARICOM member states and should be fought on a united front.
"That drastic position would be premature and in a sense a knee jerk reaction, which really wouldn’t solve the problem and would create quite a few more. Clearly, the illicit transshipment of either drugs or guns is something that we all have to be concerned about and it’s something that I think CARICOM, as a regional body, needs to focus on a lot more in terms of dealing with.
"We do not encourage the transshipment of illicit items, what we have to do therefore is investigate each incident and find a way to solve it," Dr. Tufton said adding that his ministry stands ready to help fight the scourge in any way it can.
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