MONTEGO BAY, St James — Parish Judge Sasha Ashley has expressed concern that plastic items which had been banned by the Government in 2018 are still being allowed into the island.

The judge made the remarks during a court session last Wednesday in which nine businesses in the parish were hauled before the court for 12 offences committed in September.

The businesses, based in this parish, were slapped with fines totalling $180,000 for breaches of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for breaches under the NRCA’s (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition) Order, 2018 when they made an appearance in the St James Parish Court earlier today.

Judge Ashley, in questioning how the straws got into the island, pointed out that the straws were not the regular drinking straws, but those that were affixed to boxes containing juice.

“This situation is that these things are allowed to come in lawfully, it is not that they are smuggling… into the island,” stated judge Ashley.

A representative from NRCA explained to the court that there is currently a two-fold issue. He noted that there is enforcement from the NRCA side and the Trade Act in relation to the importation of items.

“So, there is a two-fold problem. There is the matter of entry into the country as well as the matter of enforcement. So, from a policy standpoint, I can’t say no more, but I know that there has been dialogue with, certainly, Customs agencies or authorities, but it is a matter really for Customs and importation Act,” the NRCA representative told the court.

Reports are that during a certain period in September the businesses were observed in possession of commercial quantities of drinking straws attached to juice or drink boxes and single-use plastic bags.

The plastic items were made wholly or in part of polyethylene or polypropylene plastic with dimensions of 24×24 inches, and with a thickness of less than 2.5 mils.

The charges were laid during operations carried out under the ongoing Operation Restore Paradise, a collaborative effort amongst several Government partners, which includes the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

If one is found guilty of breaching the order they may be fined up to $50,000 and/or a term of imprisonment.

NEPA, in a release earlier last week, stated that breaches involving importation of single plastics will be prosecuted under the Trade (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition) Order and, if found guilty, the court may impose a maximum fine of $2 million and/or a term of imprisonment.

The public can report breaches to the agency at 876-754-7540 or call the toll-free hotline at 888-991-9005 or by e-mailing policyonplasticsban@nepa.gov.jm.