A VISITING British law enforcement official has sought to allay fears that the effective use of the Ionscan machines, the drug detection units donated by his Government for use at Jamaica's international airports, is being sabotaged.
Ionscan machines, donated by the Americans and the British, were installed to detect drug couriers seeking to leave the island destined for their countries with the illicit cargo.
The effectiveness of the machines has reportedly had a dramatic impact on the flow of drugs through the airports, with more than 90 per cent reduction in the number of so-called drug mules (who swallow packets of cocaine) being detected in the United Kingdom on flights from Jamaica.
UNITS BEING SABOTAGED
Dave Purdy, an American police consultant working with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, recently claimed, controversially, that Ionscan machines at the international airports, were among the detection units being sabotaged at the country's entry points.
That allegation is being investigated by the local authorities.
But John Whyte, head of London and National Detection Region, HM Customs and Excise, is confident that the machines donated by his country will not be found to have been misused.
"I have seen comments recently that some of the machines were not used. These were not the UK machines. The UK machines were supplied by the UK Government; have been supported by the UK Government, and are well used each and every day by the JCF".
E.M.
