Chisinau, Moldova – In response to the increasing threat of arms trafficking and its potential impact on national security, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Programme, successfully conducted a national training on firearms identification and classification. The event took place at the Forensic and Judicial Expertise Centre (CTCEJ) in Chisinau, Moldova on 10 and 11 September 2024. This important initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Moldova and with support from the Romanian Ministry of Interior.
The training brought together 21 law enforcement officers from various agencies, including police, border police, intervention units, and forensics/ballistics departments. With a focus on enhancing Moldova’s capacity to detect, classify, and record illicit firearms and their components, the training aimed to address the growing concern over the illicit movement of arms, a challenge that Moldova faces due to its strategic location between Ukraine and the European Union.
The training also marked a significant step toward ensuring national ownership of the learning process, as it was delivered with the active participation of three (3) Moldovan officers who had previously attended a “Train the Trainers” course in Bucharest, Romania in June 2024. This approach ensures continuity and the development of national expertise, supported by UNODC, enabling local trainers to independently conduct similar sessions in the future.
The training sessions were comprehensive, covering a wide range of topics, including the identification and classification of firearms, ammunition, and their components. Participants were introduced to various types of firearms, from antique models to modern firearms, several models of privately manufactured or modified firearms, as well as accessories like silencers, converters, and optical instruments. They were given hands-on experience in identifying marking codes, tracing procedures, and examining ammunition types, further enhancing their practical skills in detecting and handling illicit firearms.
A specific session was dedicated to the identification, classification and tracing of ammunition and precursors that can be used to illicitly manufacture firearms ammunition.
One of the key outcomes of the training was a significant improvement in participants' knowledge, with a 30% increase in correct answers from the pre-training questionnaire (63% correct answers) to the post-training questionnaire (95% correct answers). This notable improvement underscores the effectiveness of the training in equipping law enforcement officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to combat arms trafficking.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the comprehensive nature of the training, particularly the blend of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises, and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with UNODC and the Romanian Ministry of Interior. The follow-up discussions also provided an opportunity for exchanging best practices and fostering cross-border cooperation in tackling common challenges generated by the trafficking in firearms, parts, components and ammunition and the further diversion towards organized criminal groups and terrorists.
The UNODC Global Firearms Programme remains committed to supporting the Republic of Moldova in strengthening its law enforcement capacity, ensuring that officers are well-prepared to confront the evolving threats posed by illicit firearms trafficking.
This activity was made possible through the generous support of the Government of Germany, reaffirming international commitment to addressing the global challenges associated with the illicit trafficking of arms.
