St. Vincent and the Grenadines was the sixth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member State to host the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security’s (IMPACS) Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) sensitisation and awareness workshop. The workshop seeks to raise a greater understanding among stakeholders about the proliferation and use of illegal firearms in the Region and strategies to address this critical issue. Workshops have already been held in St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Suriname to address issues such as firearms export licensing, e-tracing, investigative techniques and other firearms investigation-related topics.

Hosted in collaboration with the United States (US) Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Ministry of National Security, and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), the three-day workshop was held from 17-19 December 2024, at the National Insurance Services (NIS) Conference Room and attracted a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, the Police High Command and the Financial Intelligence Unit, among others.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonzalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, stated that his country, as well as others in the Region, considers the matter of violent crime, especially those committed with guns, very serious. He urged those tasked with the responsibility of dealing with crime to involve the public in their efforts, as “anything else would make it difficult to implement certain programmes to bolster law enforcement.”

Noting that the Region does not produce guns or ammunition, Dr. Gonzalves said the Region needs to work together to stop the inflow of firearms, the majority of which is emanating from the US. “We have to work together to stop the inflow of those guns. We have to have effective border control, but it is very difficult given the number of islands and points where people can enter illegally. This calls for better detection facilities at our ports of entry because guns come with cocaine and marijuana,” he opined.

Mr. Robert Marshall, representative from the US’ Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said that since the CGIU’s inception in 2023, it has swiftly become one of the most promising collaborative law enforcement efforts between the US and CARICOM countries. He explained that through the CGIU, CARICOM members and US experts are able to work side-by-side to share information in real-time, and are better positioned to solve crimes, disrupt criminal networks and trafficking rings, and ultimately prosecute offenders whether in the US or in the respective CARICOM Member States. He reported that ten CARICOM countries now submit information on firearms seizures to the CGIU.

“We encourage our partners in CARICOM and US law enforcement agencies to continue to take full advantage of this resource to share information critical to furthering illicit firearms trafficking investigations, arrests, and prosecutions in the US, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and CARICOM Member States,” Mr. Marshall advised.

Ms. Tonya Ayow, Deputy Executive Director, CARICOM IMPACS, informed participants at the workshop that there has been a marked improvement in collaboration with Member States on firearms-related events and investigations, and enhanced coordination in handling cases. She highlighted that to date, the CGIU has received approximately 82 firearms-related reports from Member States as well as developed and disseminated 20 intelligence packages.

“These outcomes reflect our collective vision for the Region when the CGIU was first established. With the continued support of Member States and US partners, CARICOM IMPACS is confident that the Unit will continue to grow, and these positive outcomes will increase and be sustained well into the future. It is our shared commitment to not only maintain operational support but also to collaborate closely with our partners to enhance the capabilities and capacities of the Firearms Units and, moreover, investigative units within our Region. The CGIU is designed to support this exchange,” Ms. Ayow said.

She added that workshops such as these will not only enhance participants’ understanding of the purpose and objectives of the CGIU but will also address the critical role each Member State must play in strengthening national and regional capacities to identify, investigate, and solve gun crimes more effectively.