At the first IAEA training course on customs operations in the Caribbean region on sealed radioactive sources, participants from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries learned how to manage and secure radioactive sources effectively during customs operations.
Hosted by the Jamaica Customs Agency in Kingston, Jamaica, from 24-28 April 2023, the course enhanced the capacity of regional customs officials from ten countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA) and International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) of Jamaica provided expertise and equipment.
Sealed radioactive sources, such as those used in cancer treatment or in industrial applications, are transported on a daily basis. By properly identifying and tracking these sources, port authorities can ensure public safety and prevent the unauthorized transportation or use of radioactive substances. The IAEA training course provided guidance on radiation detection techniques and response procedures for front line customs officials in the Caribbean region.
“As front-line workers, we have a special responsibility to keep our countries – and the wider Caribbean region – safe from potential threats,” said Denisha Wildman, Senior Customs Officer at the Jamaica Customs Agency. “This regional training course has given me the knowledge and tools to ensure the safe and secure detection of radioactive material crossing our borders and has helped to foster collaboration with my colleagues in other agencies in Jamaica and across the region.”
