Sugar Industry Authority says brown sugar valued at billions imported illegally annually

The Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) says tens of thousands of tonnes of brown sugar – valued at billions of dollars – are being  imported illegally  and circulating annually without authorisation.

SIA’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Rupert Steel says the country is facing a widespread and ongoing problem of illegal brown sugar entering the market.

He says no permit has ever been issued for the importation of brown sugar. 

He says, this means any brown sugar being sold locally, that is not produced in Jamaica, is considered illegally imported.

his comments come, against the backdrop of enforcement action in St. Elizabeth, where two chinese business operators were arrested and charged, for selling illegally imported sugar from Guyana.

The arrest took place during a joint operation, involving the police and the SIA, at the operator’s establishment, in Luana. 

The men were charged under the Sugar Industry Control Act.

Mr. Steel warns, that any product which does not clearly state it is made in Jamaica, should be treated with suspicion, adding that where a foreign country of origin is listed, the product is not legally authorised for sale locally.

Meanwhile, commanding officer of the Agricultural Protection Branch, Senior Superintendent Oral Pascoe, is urging consumers, to look out for specific products, including Demerara-brand sugar, which he says, did not enter the country through official channels.

He is advising the public not to use such products, and to report them to the SIA, or the police.