Border control officers undergo training in radiation safety

Border control officers from the Customs Division and the Antigua Port Authority
are undergoing weeklong training in the detection and safe handling of radioactive
sources and use of detection and safety equipment.
Comptroller of Customs, Raju Boddu, explained that the training forms part of a
project that was initiative prior to the COVID-19 pandemic for which specialized
equipment was donated by the People’s Republic of China. He noted that the
pandemic delayed some aspects of the implementation such as the training
necessary for handling some of the equipment.
“Some of the equipment have been put to use, but we have been concerned about
the safety of our officers who are exposed to radiation as well as the safety of the
general public visiting the port,” he further explained.
For that reason, the comptroller said the most powerful equipment in the lot has not
been deployed because of safety concerns. “We thought that we would do a
complete assessment of the safety issues involved in using this nuclear technology.
Not only that, but we also need to standardize and put in place the protocols to
handle various shipments, such as where they are from, whether they contain radio
isotopes that are used for treating diseases such as cancer and different materials
that may contain radioactive materials imported into the country,” he stated.
Boddu said the training will equip officers with the skills to safely handle these
materials. “We felt a strong need and the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) was approached and they sent two facilitators from Jamaica to conduct the
workshop. Along with the customs and port officers, a representative each from the
Bureau of Standards and the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force are attending.
According to Boddu the new equipment have been used to scan barrels, pallets and
containers. They are also able to detect contraband materials such as illegal
firearms and drugs.
He revealed that the recent rise in the detection of drugs at the St. John’s port has
been due to the use of the equipment.