Advancement in technology is hindering the effective implementation of measures to counter the illicit manufacture and diversion of precursor chemicals in the country.
Precursors are substances which are known to be used in the illegal manufacture of illicit drugs.
Speaking during the ongoing 31st Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja Nigeria, Beverly Opwora said new trends in online businesses, mobile financial transactions and sophistication in falsification processes have proved to be a key challenge.
Opwora who is the Secretary for National Administration in the State Department of Internal Security is leading the Kenyan delegation.
Kenya is represented by the Ministry of Interior, the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC).
Opwora noted that despite the challenges, Kenya has put in place effective measures to counter the illicit manufacture and diversion of precursor chemicals.
This she said, includes the adoption of the use of software that enables governments to effectively facilitate the trade of internationally controlled substances for licit purposes.
“It is important to note that there is a very thin line between the licit and Illicit precursor chemicals. This is because a chemical can be acquired legally for licit purposes but once diverted, the purpose changes to illicit,” Opwora said.
She noted that to prevent and counter unlawful manufacture and diversion of these chemicals, Kenya has through the PPB, taken advantage of technology and introduced an online system of evaluating permits for licit Narcotics, Psychotropic and precursor Chemical.
“The system accelerates the process of importation and is more transparent and prevents forgeries,” she revealed.
The Head of the illicit Control Unit at the PPB Job Kandie said that the country makes use of a joint multi-agency approach during inspection and verification at the port of entry and exit as a counter-measure.
“Last year we submitted proposals to the Amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act in 2022 to include more punitive and deterrent measures, especially on law enforcers who conspire within and outside the country to misuse chemicals,” Kandie said.
Kandie said the amendment also provided for punitive measures against owners of buildings where clandestine labs are found to be operating which is now law.
In 2018, the Board implemented a policy to have ephedrine and pseudoephedrine imported into the country escorted to respective premises and diluted with other constituents before storage.
This was in an effort to guarantee security and eliminate attempts to divert it along the supply chain into the illegal market.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the two oldest molecules known in the treatment of nasal congestion.
Illicitly, the two chemicals can be used to manufacture methamphetamine, in small clandestine laboratories.
It is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
This is usually done by professionally organized crime offenders who are well-trained in different fields of science.