The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in close cooperation with the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), conducted a high-level national training course in Belize focused on illicit firearms trafficking and criminal justice responses.
Held from 22 to 24 July 2025, the initiative forms part of broader regional efforts to strengthen national capacities to prevent and combat the illicit proliferation of firearms, ammunition and related components, particularly under the framework of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
The course brought together a diverse group of professionals from law enforcement, customs, forensic services and other key national institutions involved in arms control and criminal justice.
For three days, participants engaged in an intensive curriculum that combined technical presentations, scenario-based workshops and practical exercises designed to enhance their investigative and prosecutorial skills in firearms-related cases.
The opening session featured welcoming remarks from UNODC and CARICOM IMPACS, underscoring the importance of a coordinated and intelligence-led approach to address the persistent threat posed by firearms trafficking in the region. The presence of national authorities highlighted Belize’s strong political commitment to this agenda.
Sharole Carr, CEO in the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the workshop strengthened coordination across agencies.
“The results included a practical understanding of the complete tracking cycle, familiarisation with real forms and platforms and improved coordination between police, prosecutors and international actors.”
The training covered a broad range of critical topics, such as an analysis of global and regional trends in illicit firearms flows.This included the challenges posed by organized crime networks and the increasing convergence with drug trafficking and gang violence.
Participants examined the situation in the Caribbean and Belize specifically, looking at current threats and institutional responses. Particular attention was paid to the emergence of new technologies and methods used by traffickers.
Sessions addressed the rise in the use of 3D-printed firearms, online and dark web-based weapons trafficking and the potential role of artificial intelligence in both criminal and law enforcement contexts.
These modules aimed to equip participants with forward-looking knowledge to anticipate and counter evolving threats.
On the second day, the focus shifted to tracing and forensic analysis.
UNODC experts guided participants through the principles of firearm identification, classification and marking, followed by interactive sessions on the use of tracing tools such as eTRACE and iARMS.
CARICOM IMPACS played a key role in showcasing good practices in tracing from across the region and facilitated discussions on the use of traceability data for intelligence development and cross-border investigations.
The practical component of the course included a simulation exercise on firearms tracing, where participants worked through a fictional recovery case from seizure to report drafting.
Forensic ballistics was also explored in detail, with UNODC presenting on internal and terminal ballistics and automated correlation systems, while CARICOM IMPACS contributed with insights on serial number restoration and regional capabilities in ballistic examination.
The final day addressed detection strategies, focusing on border control, customs profiling, and the use of scanning technologies.
Belizean customs officials presented national efforts in detecting firearms at points of entry, while CARICOM IMPACS outlined regional concealment trends and risk indicators drawn from real operational cases. Participants reviewed methodologies for detecting hidden firearms in cargo, parcels and vehicles and examined the challenges posed by trafficking through postal systems and consolidated shipments.
The course concluded with a session on the use of X-ray technology in identifying firearms, components and ammunition. A closing ceremony followed, during which certificates of completion were handed over to the participants.
This training in Belize is part of UNODC’s ongoing technical assistance to Caribbean states in support of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. It reflects a growing recognition that effective arms control requires not only stronger laws and institutional frameworks, but also the continuous professionalization and specialization of frontline personnel.
The involvement of CARICOM IMPACS throughout the training was instrumental in anchoring the discussions in a regional context and fostering greater cooperation between national and regional stakeholders. By sharing best practices, facilitating dialogue and connecting counterparts, CARICOM IMPACS continues to serve as a vital partner in the regional security architecture.
As firearms trafficking remains a major driver of violence and insecurity in the Caribbean, initiatives like this training in Belize are essential to building a more secure and resilient region.
Source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime