Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU)

The establishment of the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) was endorsed by the 24th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) on 6 October 2022, to play a major part in investigating and prosecuting firearms-related crimes in the CARICOM Region. The CGIU is intended to play a significant role in assisting CARICOM Member States in the collection and analysis of all available information related to the unlawful use, possession, transfer of firearms and illegal diversion of firearms.

The CGIU also assists CARICOM countries with identifying and investigating the sources of crime guns and the patterns and trends of trafficking firearms across national borders. It is geared to focusing on real time collection, management and analysis of crime gun evidence and facilitating national law enforcement agencies working together and with United States (US) partner agencies on firearm-related investigations to stop violent criminals.

The work of the Unit involves cooperation between CARICOM IMPACS and US government partners including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The CGIU also consults with US government partners to ensure the comprehensiveness of data being captured and collaborates on intelligence collection and risk analysis.