Border Protection
OVERVIEW
The Border Protection Division (BPD) of the Jamaica Customs Agency became operational in April 2009. The main objective of the Division is to enable the overall Customs Agency to be more proactive in its approach to reduce illegal activities which threatens the social and economic stability of the country and to increase revenue collection.
The Border Protection Division plays an important role in the country’s overall security through the interdiction of firearms, illicit drugs and radioactive materials, while at the same time combating instances of Intellectual Property Right infringements, lottery scamming, money laundering and other corrupt trading practices. The Border Protection Division works in tandem with local and International agencies to achieve better results.
STRUCTURE
To achieve this, a structure was put in place that will aggressively investigate those who seek to exploit the weaknesses of our border and its security coverage.
This Division is, therefore, highly intelligence driven and is built around a framework which will facilitate proper intelligence gathering, analysis and dissemination of information in a confidential and controlled environment to a well-trained operational team.
The division is comprised of five (5) units, namely:
- Intelligence Unit
- Investigations Unit
- Cargo Imaging Unit
- Risk Management Unit
- Contraband Enforcement Team (CET)
The Intelligence Unit operates as the “Information Hub” of Border Protection and is responsible for analyzing and the conversion of information into actionable intelligence.
The Investigation Unit aims to protect the interest of the Jamaica Customs Agency and by extension the borders of Jamaica, by investigating Customs offences and breaches of any other applicable legislations, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act, to the point where they can be successfully ventilated either administratively or through the courts. The unit is also charged with the responsibility of conducting background verification of persons desirous of pursuing a career in customs brokerage.
Risk Management Unit
The success of customs administrations worldwide depends on an effective Risk Management Unit and system. The Risk Management Unit is responsible for the planning, organizing and that implementation of long and short term strategic risk plans and programs that will allow for the identification of imports and exports that represent the greatest risk of non-compliance. In doing so, the speedy processing of legitimate cargo is facilitated.
Cargo Imaging Unit
The unit is one of two operational arms of Border Protection Division (BPD). The unit processes passengers and non-intrusively inspects cargo entering and exiting Jamaica in a bid to identify, detect and deter the movement of illegal firearms, ammunitions, commercial fraud, illicit drugs and radioactive materials.
The Contraband Enforcement Team
The CET is the second operational arm of the Border Protection Division. Their main task, in collaboration with the support of other Units within BPU is to anticipate, pre-empt, detect and deter threats to our borders. Additional responsibilities are to seize contraband and illegal imports and exports. The unit operates on a 24/7 basis at the major air and sea ports and their operations are mainly intelligence driven.
Border Protection & You
The division welcomes any information deemed necessary for the detection, deterrence, seizure of contraband, illegal imports and exports, illegal activities and suspicious persons.
CONTACT
Mail: Jamaica Customs Agency
Border Protection Unit,
Myers Wharf,
Newport West, Kingston 15
Email: analyst@jacustoms.gov.jm
Tel. : (876) 906-1483
SEIZURE RECORDS
Since its inception the BPD has successfully undertaken operations with local and international partners and made seizures worth millions of dollars in contraband and illicit goods.
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