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The Dark Side of Domestic Production: Precursors Becoming a Primary Threat
As a result of the domestic production of fentanyl, the focus of authorities at the borders has shifted towards the detection of the chemicals, also known as precursors, used in drug production. Due to the dual-use nature of these chemicals, detection can be challenging. Moreover, there's growing concern that most of the precursors are imported from China.
Government Response: New Measures Implemented to Counter Precursor Influx
Many initiatives have been put in place to combat this threat. There are regulatory measures to reduce precursor banning process from 36 months down to six months, artificial intelligence and imaging tools to detect precursors, and a newly formed "Chemical Precursor Risk Management Unit" within Health Canada to assist law enforcement agencies. Despite these steps, authorities are consistently faced with newer methods adopted by organized crime groups such as "chemical masking".
Chemical Masking: An Unconventional but Familiar Technique
"Criminal masking" is a method used by crime groups to break down a drug's precursors into what they call "pre-precursors" for easier smuggling. Authorities are working to stay ahead of this game through predicting all ways a precursor can be broken down.
The journey to curbing domestic drug production and monitoring precursor influx continues to be an ongoing challenge. Authorities are always learning from each incident and using this knowledge to create more comprehensive measures to combat drug trade in the country. A recurring theme in the fight against drug production is that it is indeed a game of adaptation.
As a result of the domestic production of fentanyl, the focus of authorities at the borders has shifted towards the detection of the chemicals, also known as precursors, used in drug production. Due to the dual-use nature of these chemicals, detection can be challenging. Moreover, there's growing concern that most of the precursors are imported from China.
Government Response: New Measures Implemented to Counter Precursor Influx
Many initiatives have been put in place to combat this threat. There are regulatory measures to reduce precursor banning process from 36 months down to six months, artificial intelligence and imaging tools to detect precursors, and a newly formed "Chemical Precursor Risk Management Unit" within Health Canada to assist law enforcement agencies. Despite these steps, authorities are consistently faced with newer methods adopted by organized crime groups such as "chemical masking".
Chemical Masking: An Unconventional but Familiar Technique
"Criminal masking" is a method used by crime groups to break down a drug's precursors into what they call "pre-precursors" for easier smuggling. Authorities are working to stay ahead of this game through predicting all ways a precursor can be broken down.
The journey to curbing domestic drug production and monitoring precursor influx continues to be an ongoing challenge. Authorities are always learning from each incident and using this knowledge to create more comprehensive measures to combat drug trade in the country. A recurring theme in the fight against drug production is that it is indeed a game of adaptation.
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