Members States held on 22 To 24 August 2006 at the Garden Court, Southern Sun
Hotel, Johannesburg International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
22 August 2006
There is a spiralling increase in the trafficking, production and abuse of a
variety of illicit synthetic drug substances. The most popular synthetic drugs
in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) are mandrax, ecstasy, methcathinone
(CAT), methamphetamine and a cocktail of potent amphetamine type stimulants
(ATS).
Drug syndicates are actively engaged in producing these synthetic drugs in
clandestine laboratories/production sites. During the last few years, numerous
clandestine drug laboratories engaged in manufacturing: Mandrax, CAT and
methamphetamine (Crystal meth or TIK-TIK as it is commonly referred to in the
Cape) were dismantled. The proliferation of domestic production of these
illicit synthetic drugs can be attributed to the insatiable demand.
CAT laboratories are detected frequently within Gauteng, and dismantled. CAT
production has also spread to other provinces and it appears that there are
links between the drug syndicates in Gauteng and the other provinces.
On 8 May 2006, the Interpol Sub-Regional Bureau (SRB) for Southern Africa
and SARPCCO in conjunction with the International Police Secretariat General
(IPSG) France requested South Africa to host the SADC Regional Seminar on
Chemical Monitoring Programme for member states.
The South African Police Service, in conjunction with the French Embassy in
Pretoria, who is the financial co-operating partner, assisted in hosting the
seminar.
Based on the premise that the prevention of the diversion of certain
industrial chemicals to the clandestine production of amphetamine type
stimulants (ATS) is a critical element of any drug enforcement effort, the
South African Police Service strives to maintain precursor control with the
following capabilities:
* to find methods to address the clandestine productions of ATS
* to obtain and process vital information about licit and illicit transactions
in collaboration with the relevant authorities
* to exchange intelligence on the movement of precursor chemicals with various
organised crime units and duly authorised foreign national authorities
* to provide, as well as to receive and process, pre-export notifications in
advance
* to take appropriate action regarding intelligence that is received about the
potential diversion of precursor chemicals
* to stop or seize suspicious consignments if there is cause to believe that
these consignments may be diverted
* to initiate appropriate criminal or administrative proceedings
* to strengthen Co-operation in Africa (COPA) which is an Interpol
initiative.
The purpose of the Regional seminar is to combat the production of illicit
synthetic drug substances and to enhance cooperation and coordination of
intelligence on synthetic drug substances amongst organised crime units country
wide as well as within the Southern African Developing Countries (SADC)
Region.
Members of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and the following
member states are expected to attend the seminar:
* Angola
* Malawi
* Zambia
* Mauritius
* Mozambique
* United Republic of Tanzania
* Swaziland
* Namibia
* Zimbabwe
* Seychelles
* Botswana
* Lesotho
The financial support by the French Embassy is highly appreciated.
SAPS members performing Chemical Monitoring duties in the provinces as well
as members from Organised Crime Units in each province are also attending the
seminar.
Enquiries:
Director Phuti Setati
Tel: (012) 393 5490/1
Fax: (012) 393 5525/27
Cell: 082 778 4312
E-mail: mediarelations@saps.org.za
Issued by: South African Police Service
22 August 2006
