The CCT sits within the Industry Exchange and Alerts Branch of SOCA. SOCA is the designated UK competent authority for the reporting of suspicious activity relating to drug precursor chemicals as described in Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the Council and the European Parliament and Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005, which were implemented in the UK in The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors) (Intra-Community Trade) Regulations 2008 and The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors) (Community External Trade) Regulations 2008.

The CCT receives Chemical Suspicious Activity Reports (CSARs) concerning enquiries or orders that are made to operators within the chemical or allied industries.  CSARs help to counter diversion of controlled substances, in accordance with the EU and UK legislation, and non-controlled substances and equipment into illicit drug production.  The CCT also receive CSARs concerning enquiries or orders that are made to operators within the chemical or allied industries in order to counter any other potential criminal activity, such as chemicals or equipment used in home made explosives or other terrorist activities (please see the Should I submit a CSAR to SOCA CCT flowchart), and chemicals used as abused substances in their own right. 

CSARs contribute intelligence to existing law enforcement operations, identify reckless or deliberate acts of chemical diversion, and initiate investigations into previously unknown criminal individuals or organisations.

What Will SOCA Do?

Confidentiality is something that SOCA takes seriously and we are keen to create an environment within which the reporters and SOCA can communicate securely. Upon receipt of a CSAR the CCT will deal with this information in accordance with its functions as defined by section 3 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.