The controversial news of Police finding a site where plans were underway to produce synthetic drugs – crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’ has thrown a spotlight on the evolving nature of narco-crime in Sri Lanka. A key issue with the latest organised crime operation is the fact that a large amount of chemicals – suspected to be precursors used in manufacture of methamphetamine. While the chemicals have not yet been clearly identified by a relevant state authority as chemicals which are used as precursors, speculation is rife.
The question needs to be asked, if the Police suspect that the chemicals, recovered from multiple locations in Sri Lanka, and in high tonnage, are for the production of ‘Ice’, how did they enter the island? Going by what the Police have reported thus far, it seems like the chemicals are delivered in shipping containers. If so, and the chemicals are identified as precursors, then it points to Sri Lanka having a significant border control lapses with its port infrastructure. While precursors can be smuggled ashore in drums on fishing trawlers like heroin and crystal methamphetamine, at present, it would take dozens of such shipments to bring in the volume of precursors which are needed to ‘cook’ crystal methamphetamine in substantial quantities. Therefore, it is likely that the chemicals, if they are what the Police suspect, came through a logistics chain via an entry port in Sri Lanka. Law enforcement and security authorities should take such a find seriously, as it means the Colombo Port, the beating heart of Sri Lanka’s economy and industry is vulnerable to be exploited – and done so in significant volume.
It also means the regulatory mechanism such as the Precursor Control Authority (PCA) of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), and frontline border control agencies such as the Customs have also failed in their duties. The Precursor Control Authority (PCA) is the national competent authority in Sri Lanka established in terms of the Conventions Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act no. 01 of 2008 to regulate and enforce national controls over precursors. It would be prudent for the Government to review the PCA’s and NDDCB’s mandate, mechanism and efficiency, if the chemicals are indeed found to be precursors. The Customs, the Police Narcotics Bureau and the State Intelligence apparatus may also need to take a hard look in the mirror if a breach of this scale went unnoticed.
The global trends in narco-crime are changing, Sri Lanka needs to stay abreast of such changes or stay a step ahead to effectively counter them. Over the last decade, narco syndicates in Southeast Asia learnt that it was easier to manufacture than import methamphetamine. In Myanmar they figured out that they can switch from the poppy cultivation process, to manufacture ‘Ice’, and do so with less effort, less risk and more profit. They could source chemicals through the border from China, purchase the lab equipment online, and hire the right experts (or import them) to produce high quality methamphetamine, which sells at a higher price per pop. As such, Sri Lanka is wise to wake up to this danger, and do so quickly. Being an island, we have a natural defence of geography to our advantage, the chemical precursors need to be shipped or smuggled in.
Sri Lanka does not have highly developed chemical industries which produce such chemicals locally, at least not yet. Given the unemployment situation, finding experts would not be a big problem. And there is always tourism which can be used as a cover, to bring in foreign experts when needed. One well trained expert – or ‘cook’ in narco-lingo can train a dozen or more. The profit margins are astronomical. Therefore, as unfortunate as it sounds, the threat of ‘cooking’ methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs locally is quite possible, if we don’t get our act together. The US ambassador in Colombo, recently told local law enforcement officers during a UNODC training programme: “Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a critical transit point for international trade. Unfortunately, this also makes it vulnerable to exploitation by drug traffickers who use established shipping routes to move illicit substances and precursors. The training you have received equips you with the tools to detect illegal drug shipments, intercept precursor chemicals, and disrupt trafficking networks. Your vigilance and expertise are essential in preventing these substances from reaching their destinations and causing harm.”
Hopefully, the Government and our local agencies will take these words seriously with revelations about attempts to establish illegal domestic production of ‘Ice’.