Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2025. 2:35 pm CST.
Press Release
Regional and international institutions concluded a series of workshops in Belize this week aimed at strengthening the fight against illicit firearms trafficking and improving coordination between law enforcement agencies across the Caribbean.
Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with support from CARICOM IMPACS and the Government of Belize, the sessions brought together Belize Defence Force, the Customs Department, the Police Department and the National Forensic and Science Service of the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries. Participants examined how they could better collaborate, particularly when a firearm is linked to multiple crimes in investigative systems.
The program opened on July 22 with a workshop on Integrated Firearms Centres at the Lord Ashcroft Centre in Belize City. The event was chaired by Roberto Rodríguez Codesal of UNODC. UN Regional Representative Sylvie Bertrand delivered remarks via remote video, while Taj Cassells, analyst for CARICOM IMPACS, served as an integral speaker throughout the workshop. Sharole Carr, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries and Chair of the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board, delivered the keynote address.
During the sessions, participants gained clarity on the tracing and marking of firearms – a crucial tool for dismantling criminal networks. They examined case scenarios involving data collection and logging, identification of markings and serial numbers, and discussed the concealment of weapons in international shipments, vehicles, and shipping containers.
According to Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries CEO Sharole Carr, who also participated in the workshop, the training emphasized the need for greater interaction between agencies. “The results included a practical understanding of the complete tracking cycle, familiarization with real forms and platforms, and improved coordination between police, prosecutors, and international actors,” she said. Carr added that the workshops raised awareness of the importance of traceability in combating illicit trafficking.
From July 23 to 25, UNODC led a three-day firearms training course featuring presentations, discussions, and practical workshops. The agenda included illicit trafficking trends, firearms identification and classification, forensic ballistics, and detection strategies at borders. Rodríguez Codesal, Cassells, and UNODC specialists, along with Belizean authorities, conducted the sessions.
The course also addressed emerging challenges such as 3D-printed firearms, online trafficking, and the role of artificial intelligence in arms smuggling. Practical exercises, including firearms tracing simulations and visual recognition drills, further strengthened participants’ technical expertise.
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The post Belize Hosts Regional Workshop on Firearms Trafficking and Integrated Control Systems appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2025. 2:35 pm CST. Press Release Regional and international institutions concluded a series of workshops in Belize this week aimed at strengthening
The post Belize Hosts Regional Workshop on Firearms Trafficking and Integrated Control Systems appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
