Government's imposition of an $8.75 per-litre cess on petroleum products is likely to trigger a slight increase in the illegal fuel trade, a senior cop has said.

Senior Superintendent Donovan Graham, who heads the St Andrew South Division, told The Gleaner on Monday that the police will have to redouble efforts to put a stranglehold on the long-standing illegitimate sector.

But that threat might have a hollow ring. Greenwich Farm, an infamous St Andrew hub for the illicit fuel trade, falls in Graham's division. He said previous efforts to clamp down on the underground industry have proven futile because the perpetrators are generally never caught in action.

Unsuccessful raids

"The containers are not kept in the area where the vending takes place and that poses major problems for the police. The officers have been on raids which always turn out to be unsuccessful," Graham explained.

He advises motorists to desist from patronising uncertified dealers because they, too, were committing an offence.

Meanwhile, Commandant Osmond Bromfield, the man in charge of the Island Special Constabulary Force, said the police have ramped up monitoring of illegal petrol dealers since a clampdown in 2007.

"A lapse in the enforcement was one reason the activity was so widespread, but since we stepped up the drive, things are under control," he said.

However, he added that the informal fill-up centres still pose a problem because of their uncomplicated structure and ease of movement.

"The police will not tolerate this activity, but these persons are not operating an establishment so they keep on moving, which makes it difficult for us to catch up with them," he explained.

Share information

"I am calling on the citizens to share information with the police so that we can deal with it accordingly."

Though Bromfield said a number of arrests have been made in the recent past, he could not provide any statistics to corroborate that claim.

Attempts to contact Trevor Barnes, head of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA), proved futile.

However, Trevor Heaven, immediate past president of the JGRA, informed The Gleaner that the product volumes from illegal traders indicate that operators did not solely rely on rogue tanker drivers to source petrol. He could not, however, posit a theory on the foundation for the trade's reach.

In order to put a squeeze on the black market, he said the ministries of National Security and Health (which cover the environment portfolio) should collaborate more to root out illegal sites.

But feedback to The Gleaner suggests that rogue traders would still flourish as some motorists are prepared to beat the system.

One motorist, who preferred to speak off the record, said if it is worth the risk he is prepared to take it.

Another driver, who identified himself only as Paul, said he was willing to take chances with black-market dealers to avoid busting his budget.

"I can't afford the gas now, so if I can get cheaper gas, I am going to buy it," Paul said.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com