Jamaica Customs-higher-than-normal levels of radiation in two shipments from Japan

http://jamaica-gleaner.mobi/gleaner/20140110/lead/lead1.php
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Jamaica Customs authorities have revealed that in the last 13 months, tests conducted at the nation's ports have confirmed the presence of higher-than-normal levels of radiation in two shipments from Japan.

The most recent case, according to Assistant Commissioner of Customs Velma Ricketts, came last month when a trans-shipment container carrying used motor-vehicle parts destined for Guyana was scanned at the Kingston Container Terminal and its radiation levels was determined to be "elevated".

"The JCA [Jamaica Customs Agency] has been on high alert since the earthquake affected Japan," Ricketts said in an emailed response to queries by The Gleaner.

Commissioner of Customs Major Richard Reese made it clear yesterday that both shipments are being detained in a quarantined area and will be returned to Japan shortly.

At the same time, Reese said the JCA, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be seeking to have "urgent discussions" on the issue with officials at the Japanese Embassy in Jamaica.

"It could be that there is a weakness in the inspection process on that side," Reese surmised.

The discovery of higher-than-normal levels of radiation in Jamaica comes days after Russian authorities barred 132 used Japanese vehicles from entering that country because of "radioactive pollution concerns".

The cars were among a batch of 165 contaminated goods, including motor-vehicle spare parts, that were not allowed to enter Russia.

The Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's consumer protection agency, reported that it was very concerned about contaminated water leaks that were still occuring at the disabled nuclear plant.
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Several countries in the Caribbean import a lot of second hand cars and car parts from Japan