On 14 October 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) convened a side event at the margins of the 12th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to address the growing concern of illicit firearms trafficking through fast parcels, an emerging threat in the context of transnational organized crime. The event, titled “Detection, Investigation, and Prosecution of Firearms Trafficking in Fast Parcels,” highlighted the ongoing efforts and progress under UNODC's initiative, Project HERMES.
Opening the event, Ms. Simonetta Grassi, Chief of the Firearms Trafficking Section at the UNODC Organized Crime Branch, welcomed participants and underscored the critical nature of combating firearms trafficking through fast parcel and express courier services. "Today, we are here to discuss not only the challenges but also the tangible progress made in countering this form of illicit trafficking," Ms. Grassi said. She emphasized that Project HERMES, first launched in the Western Balkans, focuses on strengthening institutional capacities, improving regulatory frameworks, and fostering public-private cooperation to mitigate firearms trafficking.Project HERMES has been at the forefront of efforts to raise awareness about compliance with arms import/export regulations, particularly in the growing context of e-commerce. Collaborations with key international partners, including the Universal Postal Union, EUROPOL, and EMPACT Firearms, have enhanced the exchange of best practices and operational expertise.
Mr. Petrit Kola from Albanian Post provided an operational perspective, sharing concrete examples of success in detecting illicit firearms shipments through postal systems. He also offered insights into future directions and the importance of technological and procedural innovations in the fight against firearms trafficking.
Further legal insights were presented by Ms. Vanda Senderovic from the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who shared the challenges and successes of investigating and prosecuting firearms trafficking cases. Her presentation highlighted the critical importance of cooperation among law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to ensure traffickers are brought to justice.
Mr. Richard Martens from EMPACT Firearms offered a European perspective, detailing the coordinated efforts of the European Union and its member states to combat firearms trafficking. His presentation highlighted the essential role of regional cooperation in disrupting illicit networks and enhancing investigative capabilities.
Ms. Grassi closed the event by thanking the speakers for their thought-provoking insights and the audience for their active participation. She emphasized the importance of continuing global collaboration to address this critical issue, noting that, "It is through our collective actions that we will be able to make meaningful progress."
Project HERMES is implemented in the Western Balkans with financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.
