From 3 to 7 October 2016, UNODC organized in N'Djamena, Chad, a five day training of trainers on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in partnership with the Chadian national Police. The training was opened by the Prosecutor General and brought together national experts such as judges, members of the national police, prosecutors and anti-terrorist authorities. Experts from countries in the West African sub-region, including Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal also participated as facilitators.
During the training, UNODC's experts and national officials explored various investigative techniques, reviewed the legal grounds for prosecution of illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, analysed trafficking cases, discussed about cooperation and information sharing, and engaged in firearms identification exercises. The group also addressed challenges in dealing with complex transnational cases and their links to organized crime and or other serious crimes.
The participants received for instance practical information on conducting firearms tracing, on engaging in international cooperation for the purpose of obtaining relevant and admissible evidence and on crime scene investigation, search and seizure.
The course was developed within the framework of the UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and the Sahel Programme, funded by Japan and Denmark.