The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), in collaboration with the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) of the United States, strengthens the forensic capacity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to test firearms recovered from crime scenes.

According to a press release from CARICOM IMPACS, the agency and INL officially announced the acquisition of the equipment, which includes a 50 BMG bullet trap and an automated ballistic intelligence system (IBIS BRASSTRAX), to assist the GPF to resolve firearms-related incidents and prosecute perpetrators, during the opening ceremony of the CARICOM Criminal Arms Intelligence Unit (CGIU) Outreach and Awareness Workshop, in Guyana.

Guyana is the fourth country to host this workshop, after Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados and Grenada.
Minister of Interior, Robeson Benn, while speaking at the ceremony, said the CARICOM region continues to suffer the consequences of illegal weapons, which are leading to an increase in gun crime.

He said in Guyana, year-to-date statistics show that the GPF has recovered 149 firearms: 140 of them illegal, 56 under comparison microscope and 84 inspected for identify the type, model and caliber of weapons with 101 being pistols.
It was also observed that a significant quantity of the recovered weapons are shipped in drums and enter Guyana through its commercial seaports.

Minister Benn said: “There is a growing problem of firearms crimes being brought before the courts and dismissed, particularly charges of possession of an illegal firearm. We want this to change. The department is in the process of drafting a model gun control bill, in which we expect many of the important issues to be addressed in the entirety of the law.

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

He highlighted that Guyana’s collaboration with entities such as the INL, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Implementation Agency (ATF) for crime and security (IMPACS) and other U.S. government agencies highlights a strong partnership to strengthen the capacity of local law enforcement agencies.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, said since the establishment of the CGIU in 2023, the region has seen significant benefits and explained that there has been a marked improvement in collaboration with Member States on events related to firearms and investigations and reinforced coordination in the processing of files.

“To date, the Unit has received approximately 82 firearms-related reports from Member States, developed and disseminated 20 intelligence briefs and the Unit is currently supporting seven ongoing cases in Guyana.
“Most recently, rapid action by the CGIU, member states and US partners led to the detention of a suspect upon his return to the United States and the reopening of a previously inactive case. Firearms interceptions continue to increase at the U.S. border, and within CARICOM member states, the number of port and inland seizures of firearms, ammunition, magazines and components is increasing,” he declared.

Lt. Col. Jones reiterated that combatting firearms crimes requires a unified approach and reiterated CARICOM IMPACS’ commitment to not only maintaining operational support, but also working closely with partners to strengthen capabilities and capabilities of firearms units in the region.

CGIU, with support from INL, works alongside U.S. 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-related investigations through the provision of relevant and actionable intelligence. Lt. Col. Jones also took the opportunity to thank the U.S. government for its support of the CGIU.

The United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, highlighted that transnational criminal groups traffic small arms and ammunition across the Caribbean, threaten the collective security of the region, undermine regional stability and promote irregular migration.
She recognized that many of these firearms came from the United States and that the United States was deeply interested in playing a very active role in the fight against this scourge.

The Ambassador added that the INL invested more than $2 million to help CARICOM establish the CGIU and that more steps were being taken by the United States to eliminate the threats posed by illicit firearms, including new regulations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will prohibit the shipment of goods from the United States to the Caribbean worth less than US$2,500, without any identifying information.

This new requirement, she said, will be implemented soon and will adjust U.S. export regulations to require a full manifest and proof of identification for all shippers of goods bound for the Caribbean, regardless of their origin. value, which will facilitate their traceability.
“The United States is truly working hard with our partners to help make Guyana a safer and more prosperous democracy and to combat gun trafficking from all angles in the Caribbean,” the Ambassador reaffirmed. Theriot.

CARICOM IMPACS and INL will also provide equipment to two additional member states in the coming months.
The acquisition of IBIS BRASSTRAX will enable Member States to digitally capture images of cartridge cases in 2D and 3D and view print details from multiple views and angles, while the bullet sensor can recover bullets test firing of pistols and rifles, which is more expensive. effective as water tanks and captures balls in good condition so that examinations and comparisons can be made.