Within the period of 18 – 22 May 2026 in Budapest, Hungary, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) organized a regional training programme bringing together law enforcement officers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine to strengthen capacities for detecting, investigating, and combating illicit firearms trafficking.
The training provided a platform for practitioners to exchange experiences, enhance regional cooperation, and deepen their understanding of emerging trafficking trends, analytical methodologies, and investigative techniques.
As part of the programme, UNODC delivered a dedicated session on the prevention and detection of illicit firearms trafficking through postal and express courier channels. The presentation highlighted the growing misuse of postal parcels by criminal groups for the concealment and movement of firearms, firearm parts and components, and ammunition.
UNODC also presented activities implemented under Project HERMES in the Western Balkans and Ukraine, showcasing efforts to strengthen the capacities of customs administrations and postal operators to identify and interdict illicit shipments. The session covered the donation of specialized equipment, including screening and detection devices, as well as training programmes for x-ray scanner operators aimed at improving the identification of high-risk consignments.
The contribution further featured a successful operational case involving the detection and disruption of illicit firearms trafficking conducted through postal parcels. The case demonstrated how enhanced screening capabilities, inter-agency cooperation, and international information exchange can contribute to effective law enforcement responses and strengthen the overall criminal justice response to illicit firearms trafficking.
