The ticker on CNN last night reported that Mexican authorities had seized 80 tonnes of a precursor chemical used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines, and ecstasy– illegal, highly addictive drugs popular in the United states. The pre-cursor is called phenyl-acetic acid, and it can also be used in cocaine processing. According to news reports, drug traffickers have turned to phenyl-acetic acid after Mexico effectively banned imports of that other famous precursor, pseudo-ephedrine.
Ok. So what does all that have to do with Belize, right? Well, plenty. It turns out that right now at the Port of Belize, this container, with 19 tonnes of that same phenyl-acetic acid manifested, is parked and sealed, awaiting clearance. 7news spoke with senior security sources who confirmed that the shipment arrived in Belize on April 10th. It came from China and is destined for a company in the free zone called "Gina and Angel."
But despite numerous attempts to have it cleared by attorneys and influence-peddling politicians, our reports say Customs kept stalling, and resisted all requests. That's because it is a substance listed as a Class 2 drug in the "UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON NARCOTIC SUBSTANCES" to which Belize is a signatory.
That means that whenever it is shipped anywhere in the world, the International Narcotic Control Board has to notify authorities of its movements. No such notification came in this case and that's when Customs contacted Sharon Anderson, the Chief Pharmacist. She today told us what was her advice.
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"We are obligated to respond to pre-export notification that comes from INCB (International Narcotics Control Board). If they have a shipment pending for a country they would normally ask a country if it's authorized for it to enter."
Jules Vasquez
"However, as I understand it, no such notification went out in this case."
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"No such notification came in this case."
Jules Vasquez
"Which is an indication that makes it at least suspect."
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"Yes it's suspect and the legitimate use for that product is usually like in cosmetics and in perfume making and you well know we don't have such industry here. So the quantity as you said is alarming for what you would consider the legitimate use, if it was used for the purposes stipulated, naturally. So it is considered a suspect shipment."
Jules Vasquez
"So by no means should it be allowed transit through from the Port of Belize into the Free Zone for a company whose purposes do not include the manufacture of..."
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"Legally speaking I don't think it should be allowed to enter the Free Zone. But I am not aware that we have any perfume industry in the Free Zone. So it wouldn't warrant such a transfer."
Jules Vasquez
"And also in the quantities it would have to be one…"
Sharon Anderson, Chief Pharmacist
"The quantity is suspicious. It would be deemed as a suspicious transaction.
So we stress, there are legitimate uses for phenyl-acetic acid, and indeed, our sources say, the approved import application to the free zone said they wanted to use it to make perfumes. Except – and this is a big exception – the company Gina and Angel does not have perfume production as one of its approved activities in the Zone. And, as Anderson pointed out, there is no known perfume manufacturing plant in Belize. And certainly not one that can use 19 tonnes of phenyl-acetic acid.
Still, we are told the container did get clearance from the Free Zone – not necessarily at the highest level – but clearance nonetheless. This time customs wisely balked at the request. Now, the question is, "What's next for this container?" It is still un-opened and unclaimed and our sources say the owner of the company, a Mexican, cannot be reached.
Security sources say Customs will advise them to re-export it to another country, or will offer to take it to Mexico where the recent seizure shows, it will be clearly confiscated. And that is if the owner ever turns up. But after this big blow-up in Belize and Mexico, we'd guess he's not likely to. In that case, Customs will most likely have to determine how they can destroy the contents of the container. The contents have a declared value of $140,000 dollars.
In other news, sources tell us that the Customs investigation into the container whose contents went missing is narrowing down. The truck which was transporting the container to Pier One Imports in the zone has been impounded and reports say Customs may soon bring charges against as many as 6 persons who were involved.
The really interesting part in all this is that one of the directors of the Pier One company, which imported that container whose contents went missing, is a relative of the Directors for the Gina and Angel company which imported this phenyl-acetic acid. We'll keep following all those developments.
Email
Print