As part of our work against #IllicitFirearms, UNODC is strengthening tracing, data collection & coordinated responses. In Belize, we hosted a workshop to support the development of Integrated Firearms Centres, bringing together national authorities & key partners like CARICOM IMPACS.

Illicit firearms sometimes serve as currency to finance terrorist activities & as a source of income for criminals. UNODC & experts from 5 Central Asian Countries met in Türkiye to enhance cooperation & share experiences to better tackle #FirearmsTrafficking & related threats.

We held a training on #FirearmsTrafficking in Belize. On 23-25 July, law enforcement, customs & military officials enhanced their skills to detect, investigate & prosecute the crime. This is part of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap to boost national capacity & regional cooperation.

This week, we gather Sahel & coastal countries of West Africa 🇧🇯🇧🇫🇬🇭🇲🇱🇳🇪🇹🇬 for a training of trainers on countering #FirearmsTrafficking & preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons. Later this year, they will further train hundreds of frontline officers in border zones.

Organized crime fuels human trafficking worldwide. 74% of traffickers operate within organized crime groups, exploiting more victims more violently than independent criminals. Proactive law enforcement operations are crucial to #EndHumanTrafficking.

Human trafficking is an organized, structured & ruthless crime, with criminal networks behind 74% of detected cases. To #EndHumanTrafficking we must go after the criminals fueling exploitation, by strengthening justice responses, dismantling trafficking groups & ending impunity.

1⃣Human traffickers use weapons to recruit & exploit victims, fending off law enforcement & rivals. 2⃣The same trafficking routes are often used to transport both people & firearms. 3⃣Trafficking victims may be forced to smuggle or use arms in criminal acts. #EndHumanTrafficking

Our team is working with Montenegro’s criminal justice professionals to finalise the 2⃣edition of the Firearms Case Law Collection, supporting a more consistent & effective legal response to firearms-related crimes. Supported by 🇩🇪🇬🇧🇫🇷🇸🇪🇳🇱🇳🇴🇪🇺 under the #Roadmap2024 initiative.

2/3 of weapons are seized on the grounds of illicit possession. #FirearmsTrafficking is considered in fewer than 10% of seizure cases, since this type of crime is more difficult for law enforcement to investigate & prove. The actual number of trafficking cases is much higher.

The United Nations Firearms Protocol guides global efforts to combat the unlawful production & trafficking of firearms. It's the only legally binding international instrument criminalizing these actions. Explore the Protocol: bit.ly/44ENihT

No region of the world is free from the devastating consequences of violence caused by #IllicitFirearms.

The illicit firearms trade is closely linked to drug trafficking & sometimes other forms of contraband. Most #firearms seized by law enforcement also involve drugs. Other items found alongside illicit weapons include counterfeit goods, cultural property & natural resources.

How to safely handle firearms? Investigate a crime scene where weapons have been used? Identify if #ArmsTrafficking is involved? These are some of the topics our team is training law enforcement professionals in Moldova this week.

Did you know that bullet traces on surfaces such as metal, plastic or glass can help reveal the weapon type and shooting distance? Today, we are in Moldova to help local law enforcement officers analyze such evidence in firearm-related crimes and combat #ArmsTrafficking.

In July, we were in Afghanistan. We met with key stakeholders to understand the risks of illicit arms flows from Afghanistan to neighbouring countries & identify measures to address this threat. ⬇️ EU-funded project: Countering Illicit Arms Flows Stemming from Conflict Zones.

On the supply side, #IllicitFirearms are trafficking commodities that have a price tag. On the demand side, they are illegally acquired to assert power, undermine the rule of law, challenge authority and enable crime and terrorism.

X-ray technology plays a key role in detecting #IllicitFirearms that criminals traffic through ports, airports & land border crossings. We trained 46 customs & postal officers in BiH🇧🇦 to use X-rays against this crime through hands-on sessions, online modules & expert mentoring.

Latin America has some of the world’s highest rates of gun-related homicides. With our support, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are joining forces to tackle #IllicitFirearms Learn more: bit.ly/3ZloZlX

🔹Argentina 🔹Brazil 🔹Colombia 🔹Mexico ...met in Bogotá earlier this week. With UNODC🇺🇳 support, they are working to assess firearms-related risks & coordinate joint operational activities to detect & disrupt illicit arms flows in Latin America.