WCO, INTERPOL and UNODC collaborate on illicit use of precursor chemicals
EIGHTY-six countries joined representatives of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to discuss an unprecedented international effort to counter the illicit diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals that may be used by terrorists and other criminal organizations to manufacture explosive devices.
The seminar which took place at WCO headquarters yesterday focused on increased cooperation among Customs and police agencies, the sharing of information and best practices, and collaboration on investigations. Stronger Customs/police partnerships on the ground bolstered by the support of key anti-crime stakeholders will improve the ability of frontline officials to identify, target and seize illegal shipments at land, sea and air border crossings including container facilities.
Chemicals that can be used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IED) include ammonium nitrate, used in the 1995 bombing of a US Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 and injured over 650, and hydrogen peroxide, used in the 2005 bombing of London's public transportation system that killed 52 and injured over 700.
According to the US National Counterterrorism Center's 2009 Report on Terrorism, there were approximately 11,000 terrorist attacks in 83 countries, resulting in over 58,000 victims, including nearly 15,000 fatalities. IEDs were responsible for injuring almost 23,000 people in 2009 and can be employed in multiple ways; a bomb placed inside a maritime container, a car laden with bombs, and even a suicide bomber strapped with explosives.
WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya said, “Cross-border trade has to be safe and secure from threats that may hinder or damage the global trading system and innocent citizens should be protected from threats that may risk or imperil their lives.”
Taking chemicals that are legal commodities and using them to create devastating explosive devices is a threat to all nations but with the cooperation of countries from around the world, this global effort will ultimately save countless lives.