Precursor drugs examined at conference

The UK’s first ever National Chemical Diversion conference will see delegates from all over the country addressing issues relating to precursor chemicals and their use to make synthetic drugs.

The issue of precursor chemicals is becoming a growing concern to law enforcers throughout the world. The ingredients that make up precursor chemicals are often everyday ingredients that can be bought legally from the supermarket, corner shop, specialist supplier or over the internet.

The conference entitled Chemical Diversion: The Road Ahead is being hosted by ACPO’s Precursor Working Group, a group that is chaired by DCC Andy Bliss from Essex Police.

Speaking at the last ACPO drugs conference, Mr Bliss told delegates that most of these chemicals and the apparatus used to process them have a legal use, it is often only when they are combined together in the final production process that they are illegal.

In an interview with Police Professional prior to the conference, he said: “Part of the approach to detecting this kind of criminality involves us having to track back and look at who is purchasing the constituent chemicals.

“The Internet is playing a big role in the purchase of precursor chemicals and one of the issues which is posing a particular challenge is that different countries around the world have different controls on different constituent chemicals.”

DCC Bliss also said that it was “an ever changing area and the challenge is about identifying the latest drugs on the street and then working back and determining what are the precursors for those.

“What do we need to be looking at with the legitimate industry in terms of who is buying what and checking up on those individuals?”

The conference will also look at the additional dangers caused by illicit labs to individuals and communities. Many of the chemicals used in the manufacture of a wide variety of drugs are toxic and highly explosive. Certain terrorist activity has links to the use of illicit labs and precursor chemicals.

The conference will take place on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 May at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Stansted Aiport.

The Monday session will include a presentation from DS Duncan White, controlled drugs team police liaison manager from the Healthcare Commission best practice lessons from the National Chemist Liaison Officers Association.

Inspector Steve Shoesmith from Essex Police will be speaking about the role of the chemical liaison officer. DS Becky Driscoll and DC Gill Matthews from Cleveland Police will be speaking about lessons learned from a policing operation involved precursor chemicals called Operation Enfield.

On Tuesday, District Judge Justin Philips from the West London Dedicated Drugs Court will be speaking about the role of drug courts. DCI Jason Ashwood from the Met will be speaking about the working the Methamphetamine Working Group.

Neil Measures from the SOCA Illicit Lab Unit will give a presentation on the capability and role of SOCA.

To book a place at the conference go to www.cjseventsolutions.org/events

The aims of the National Precursor Working Group

The main aim of the group is to develop the capability of UK enforcement and other relevant agencies to address precursor criminality and associated issues.

This will be achieved by:

• Working to ACPO, ACPOS, the Home Office, SOCA and HMRC plans, which are jointly agreed to address the establishment of a national competent activity, which will take responsibility for Suspicious Chemical Activity Reporting Procedures (SCARP).
• Encouraging each force are to ensure it has chemical liaison officers and coordinating the working practices, training and updating of the CLOs whilst recognising that line management sits with local forces.
• Recognising, defining and strengthening the links between the work of the CLOs, Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers, Counter Terrorist Security Advisors and other relevant