The whole-day training held at the Multi-purpose Center yesterday was attended by over 25 participants from the Division of Customs Service, the Division of Agriculture’s quarantine unit and the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Environmental Health.
The presenters included Assistant Attorney General Kate Fuller, DEQ environmental technician, Carlos Ketebengang, Guam Environmental Protection program manager Betwin Alokoa, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Michelle Duty, DEQ pesticide and storage tanks branch manager Jim Callier and Guam environmental health specialist Karl Olson.
DEQ spokeswoman Reina Camacho, who served as the facilitator, said individuals who import illegal pesticides are now becoming bolder and more creative in sneaking illegal items into the CNMI.
The training, she said, will give customs, quarantine, health inspectors more tools and knowledge about detection and enforcement.
Fuller enumerated the challenges in regulating the importation of pesticides.
These include language, culture and detection which usually causes inspectors to overlook suspected illegal imports; lack of enough space for storing dangerous products; transportation of dangerous products which may put other travelers at risk; high cost of proper disposal; ability to pay or collect on judgments; technical ability of contested cases; and the fact that federal agencies cannot always assist with enforcement.
Fuller identified possible solutions: better communication which requires a translator, better deterrence, and the involvement of more parties, including airlines, in inspecting imports.
Ketebengang said they recently confiscated 300 pounds of pesticides that were being imported illegally into the CNMI.
