Trinidad and Tobago, March 4th-7th, 2024. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through the Global Cybercrime Programme under the project "Strengthening Trinidad and Tobago's Capabilities to Prevent and Effectively Counter Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Online and Related Offenses", held Introductory workshop in criminal investigations involving the dark web and cryptocurrencies, addressed to 21 law enforcement officials from Trinidad and Tobago.

Criminal investigations involving the dark web and cryptocurrencies are crucial in protecting potential victims and preventing future crimes. Dismantling criminal networks on the dark web not only disrupts current criminal activity but also helps prevent the perpetration of future crimes. This aspect is particularly important in cases of online child sexual abuse and related offenses, where identifying and removing online predators can save vulnerable children from serious emotional and physical harm. Investigating and prosecuting those responsible for these crimes on the dark web sends a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated, establishing a safer environment for Internet users, especially children.

The enriching participation in these initiatives involves professionals from the Police Service, specifically the Cyber and Social Unit, the Department of Special Victims, the Child Protection Unit, the Criminal Investigation Unit, Fraud Squat, Anti Kidnapping Unit, Financial Investigation Unit. Additionally, from the Ministry of Attorney General and Legal Affairs (AGLA), Judiciary, INTERPOL, and Heroes Foundation. With Experts from Homeland Security of the USA (HSI-ICE), Chain Analysis, Wester Union, and UNODC.

In the opening ceremony, the Assistant Attaché from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Caribbean; the Cyber Operations Officer, ICE Instructor Certified, and the Criminal Analyst (HSI Baltimore, Maryland), and UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime Regional Coordinator for Central America and the Caribbean, Ms. Lourdes Gutiérrez, participated.

These actions were carried out with the assistance of internationally renowned experts from the USA, Costa Rica, Colombia, and UNODC, thanks to the financial support of the Government of Canada.