The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementing Agency on Crime and Security (IMPACS), in collaboration with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States Department of State (US), is enhancing the forensic capacity of the Guyana Police (GPF) to test the firearms recovered from the crime scene.

According to a CARICOM IMPACS press release, the agency and INL officially announced the acquisition of the equipment, which includes a 50 BMG bullet trap and an automated ballistic information system (IBIS BRASSTRAX), to support the GPF in resolving small arms incidents. fire and the prosecution of the perpetrators, at the opening ceremony of the CARICOM Criminal Weapons Intelligence Unit (CGIU) Outreach and Awareness Workshop in Guyana.

Guyana is the fourth country to host this workshop and follows St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados and Grenada.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, during his remarks at the ceremony, said the CARICOM region continues to suffer the consequences of illegal weapons, leading to an increase in gun crime.

He said that in Guyana, statistics to date show that the GPF has recovered 149 firearms: of which 140 were illegal, 56 were examined under the comparison microscope and 84 were inspected to identify the type, model and caliber of the weapons with 101. being guns.
It was also observed that a significant amount of the recovered weapons are shipped in barrels and enter Guyana through its commercial seaports.

Minister Benn said: “There has been a growing problem of gun offenses going to court and being dismissed, particularly those charges for possessing an illegal firearm. We want this to change. The Ministry is in the drafting phase of shaping a draft law on the control of firearms, where we expect that many of the important issues will confront the entirety of the act.”

He added that the GPF was fortunate to receive assistance from CARICOM IMPACS and INL. Benn emphasized that the involvement of international organizations was crucial in the fight against illegal firearms, as they bring expertise, resources and best practices from global experiences.

He pointed out that Guyana’s collaboration with entities such as the INL, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, the Enforcement Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and other US government agencies underscores a strong partnership aimed at improving the agencies’ capacity local law enforcement.

Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director, CARICOM IMPACS, said that since the establishment of the CGIU in 2023, the Region has seen significant benefits and explained that there has been a significant improvement in collaboration with member states on weapons-related events of fire and investigations and improved coordination in handling cases.

“To date, the Unit has received approximately 82 firearms related reports from Member States, developed and disseminated 20 intelligence packages and the Unit is currently supporting seven ongoing cases in Guyana.
“Most recently, swift action by the CGIU, member states and US partners resulted in the apprehension of a suspect upon his return to the US and the reopening of a previously dormant case. There continues to be an increase in the interception of firearms at the US border, and in CARICOM member states, there is an increase in port and inland seizures involving firearms, ammunition, magazines and component parts,” he said.

Lt. Col. Jones reiterated that combating firearms crime requires a unified approach and reaffirmed CARICOM IMPACS’ commitment to not only maintain operational support but also work closely with partners to enhance the capabilities and capabilities of the Weapons Units of fire in the region.

CGIU, with support from INL, has worked alongside US agencies such as the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to support firearms investigations by providing relevant and actionable information. Lt. Col. Jones also took the opportunity to thank the US Government for its support of the CGIU.

The US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, noted that transnational criminal groups that traffic in small arms and ammunition in the Caribbean threaten the collective security of the region, undermine regional stability and cause irregular migration.
She recognized that many of those firearms were coming from the US and there was a deep desire for the US to take a very active role in helping to combat this scourge.

The ambassador added that INL has invested more than $2 million to help CARICOM establish the CGIU and that several steps have been taken by the US to eliminate the threat posed by illicit firearms, including new regulations from the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS), which will prohibit the shipment of goods from the US to the Caribbean under $2,500 without any identifying information.

This new requirement, she said, will be implemented soon and will adjust US export regulations to require a full manifest and proof of identification for all shippers of goods going to the Caribbean, regardless of value, making it more easy to follow.
“The United States is really working hard with our partners to make Guyana a safer and more prosperous democracy and to help combat the trafficking of firearms from all angles in the Caribbean,” Ambassador Theriot reiterated.

CARICOM IMPACS and INL will also provide equipment to two other member states in the coming months.
The acquisition of IBIS BRASSTRAX will enable member states to be able to digitally capture 2D and 3D images of cartridges and view fingerprint details from multiple views and angles, while the bullet catcher can recover bullets from pistol and rifle test fires , is more cost effective than water tanks and captures undamaged bullets so that examinations and comparisons can be made.