The Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) will host Ambassador Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, United States (US) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and Mr. Michael P. Ben’Ary, Associate Deputy Attorney General of the US Department of Justice and US Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions on 9 May 2024, at its headquarters based in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Ambassador Robinson will attend and address a hybrid meeting between US partners and CARICOM Commissioners of Police which is being held to discuss collaboration with CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) to combat illegal gun trafficking in the region.

His visit to Trinidad and Tobago is part of a trip to the Caribbean which includes St. Lucia and Barbados to discuss the US’ efforts to help Caribbean partners counter firearms trafficking and announce additional INL assistance under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) to build the capacity of regional law enforcement.

The majority of illicit firearms trafficked to and circulating in the Caribbean Region are US sourced, therefore this support is of critical importance. The US and Caribbean partners share a common goal of addressing the high rates of crime and violence which are fueled by illicit firearms trafficking. This is a shared priority for the US and Caribbean partners.

Mr. Ben’Ary, whose role is to increase cooperation and coordination of firearms trafficking investigations and prosecutions in the region, will also address the meeting.

The meeting will feature a presentation and discussion on CARICOM CGIU’s objectives, the approach to stemming gun crime including collaboration with national points of contact and US partners, as well as its limitations, successes, and recommendations among other pertinent issues.

Other speakers at the meeting will include The Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister of National Security, Trinidad and Tobago; Her Excellency Candace Bond, US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago; and Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director, CARICOM IMPACS. A presentation on firearms trafficking in the region will also be delivered by Mr. Michael Graham, Assistant Regional Attaché, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Joining the meeting remotely will be representatives from the US Bureau of Industry and Security’ (BIS) and ATF together with CARICOM Commissioners of Police representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Trinidad and Tobago will have in-person representation.

The establishment of the CGIU was endorsed by the 24th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) on 6 October 2022. Its aim is to facilitate greater collaboration and information sharing to bolster CARICOM Member States’ ability to combat firearms trafficking in the region, thereby improving public safety.