Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LONDON8144
2006-11-29 17:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy London
Cable title:  

INCSR PART III FOR UK

Tags:  SNAR UK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHLO #8144 3331717
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291717Z NOV 06 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0688
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS LONDON 008144 

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T I V E D C O P Y (ADDING COLLECTIVE)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR UK
SUBJECT: INCSR PART III FOR UK

REF STATE 155254

UNCLAS LONDON 008144

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T I V E D C O P Y (ADDING COLLECTIVE)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR UK
SUBJECT: INCSR PART III FOR UK

REF STATE 155254


1. Following is part III of the INCSR for the UK. As previously
notified to the Dept, the UK agency responsible for precursor
monitoring, the Home Office Drugs Branch, has declined to supply the
embassy with specific information about precursor production and
exports. An official at the Home Office explained that EU member
states were collectively deciding on how to respond to the US
request in reftel. Information below concerning licensing and
control procedures is from the Home Office's website
(http://www.drugs.gov.uk/drugs-laws/licensing /).


2. Begin Text:

Volume III: Methamphetamine Precursors

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a multilayered system for ensuring the
production of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine is not diverted for
illicit uses. The system is administered and implemented by the
Home Office's Drugs Branch and follows guidelines set out by the
European Parliament and the European Council (EC No 273/2004). The
system consists of domestic possession/supply licenses,
import/export licenses, inspections, and the use of compliance
officers to meet the mandate set by the EC regulation.

According to the EC regulation both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
are category I drugs. Domestic entities, whether wholesalers,
manufacturers or suppliers, are required to hold domestic licenses
before they can import or export ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. This
requirement does not apply, however, to freight carriers as long as
they are shipping the chemicals in the course of their normal
business. For companies with affiliates in other EU countries, it is
sufficient to provide the Home Office with the details of the sister
company to which the item is being sent and to receive a customer
declaration from the receiving company. The Home Office requires
that all companies keep all documentation for a period of three
years readily available for inspection upon request.

The Home Office's Drugs Branch conducts surprise inspections on
companies that are known to use, supply or create precursor
chemicals. In addition to inspections, the UK, following EC
regulations, requires each entity to designate compliance officers.
These officers are tasked with ensuring the entity's compliance with
UK and relevant international laws. The only requirement for a
compliance officer is that he or she should be empowered to
represent the operator and take decisions necessary for ensuring
that the trade is in compliance with the Regulation.

The Drugs Branch also requires chemicals to be labeled
appropriately, to make it more difficult to divert them to illicit
uses. Labels must name the substance, state that it is a "drug
precursor" and be affixed prior to supply. This requirement excludes
mixtures as long as they are compounded in a way to prevent the
extraction of the precursor.

According to the Home Office, contraventions of the law and/or
conditions of a license may result in the institution of criminal
proceedings and/or revocation of the license, although minor and/or
inadvertent contraventions will normally result in a verbal or
written warning. In addition, there are provisions to seize any
material that is being diverted for illicit purposes.

Once precursors reach the retail end of the production chain,
however, there is less control. Ephedrine is treated as a
prescription drug, but pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and other
precursors, such as red phosphorous and crystal iodine, can be
purchased without controls by UK consumers.

In November 2006, police in West London conducted one of the largest
raids to date on a suspected supplier of meth precursors. Members
of the Serious Organized Crime Agency seized 16 kg of red phosphorus
and unspecified amounts of crystal iodine and ammonia. A chemist
was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting production of a
controlled drug through his online chemical supply business.

The Home Office reports annually to the International Narcotics
Control Board on the manufacture, supply, importation, exportation
and destruction of all controlled drugs and precursor chemicals
within the UK.

End Text.


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