United States Works to Combat Gun Trafficking in the Caribbean Region

March 26, 2023 – The United States is satisfied that its work in tandem with Caribbean Law Enforcement Agencies is yielding good results, explaining it has devoted nearly $1 billion dollars to programs “designed to reduce illicit trafficking, increase citizen security, and prevent youth crime and violence.”

The reveal, which included a list of efforts specifically being undertaken in the region, came in response to media questions.  It also comes as regional countries appear to be enjoying increased involvement of US law enforcers in the fight against gun crimes and gun trafficking.

The US Department of Homeland Security just this month announced that there had been a significant boom in arms trafficking to Haiti from Florida.

The U.S. Embassy Nassau says it’s been a 12-year battle alongside Caribbean governments, trying to thwart traffickers who are finding ways to funnel guns into the region from the US.  However, there appears to be no reduction in the impact of gun-fueled crime for some of these smaller states.

Murders and violence is higher than ever before.

“We partner with law enforcement agencies across the region to take down the networks of those who profit from the illicit gun trade.  Our attachés from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Trinidad support host country investigations into firearms trafficking cases.  In collaboration with their regional counterparts from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) they enforce U.S. export laws and investigate firearms and ammunition smuggling operations that violate these laws.”

There is no country in the developed world which compares to the United States when it comes to gun violence and the lives it is claiming year in and year out.  The record for the US far outpaces all rich countries cited a BBC report; the only countries which can come even close are the poorest on the planet.

Another attempt at suing the United States, with its liberal approach to gun ownership and legal gun possession  is on right now; even cartel ridden-Mexico is fed up and has renewed its efforts to hold the US responsible for the human and social toll.  The Bahamas, other Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago and now at least 16 US attorney generals have joined the suit, aimed at making the United States of America responsible for the proliferation of guns.

Still, the US Embassy lists these efforts as tangible support and evidence of the US being supportive of the mission to curb gun crime.

• In September 2022, law enforcement officers from 19 Caribbean countries along with INTERPOL, CARICOM, World Customs Organization, ATF, and HSI cooperated in a joint operation that led to the seizure of 350 weapons, 3,300 rounds of ammunition, and 10 tons of cocaine.
• In March 2022, through Operation CITADEL, HSI deployed agents and analysts throughout the Caribbean to bolster host country firearms smuggling investigations and intelligence sharing capabilities.  These efforts and multiple coordinated international sting operations resulted in 111 firearm related seizures including 446 firearms and 188,256 rounds of ammunition.

To counter illicit arms trafficking, the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), with U.S. interagency support, inaugurated in November 2022 the Caribbean Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CCGIU).  The CCGIUs main objective is to improve intelligence and information sharing among Caribbean and U.S. law enforcement agencies.  The CCGIU supports CARICOM member states with seizing firearms, related parts, and components as well as in identifying, charging, and prosecuting co-conspirators for firearms crimes.  The CCGIU works with U.S. and international law enforcement partners including ATF and HSI, UK National Crime Agency (NCA), INTERPOL, and the Regional Security System (RSS).

Over the past two weeks, HSI Nassau and CBP Preclearance Nassau have provided training to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Anti-Gang and Firearms Unit (AGFU) at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas.  Two separate 16-hour training blocks provided a total of 12 participants with classroom instruction and practical experience to operate a new inspection device.  Effective utilization of this technology will help detect contraband concealed in parcels being shipped to The Bahamas and keep those guns off the streets.   AGFU participants included constables, inspectors, seamen, and officers from RBPF, Bahamas Customs, Bahamas Immigration, and Royal Bahamas Defense Force.

Our actions demonstrate the U.S. government’s commitment to helping The Bahamas and the Caribbean effectively address firearms trafficking.  We will continue our mission to remove illegal guns from the streets and work with our partners to address violent crime.

Caption:

Over the last two weeks, HSI Nassau and CBP Preclearance Nassau provided training to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Anti-Gang and Firearms Unit (AGFU) at Lynden Pindling International Airport. This is a practical exercise, not a real-life gun seizure.