Operation Armstrong is a firearm specific law enforcement operation aimed at empowering participating countries to combat the trafficking of illicit firearms effectively. It emphasises collaboration and information exchange among law enforcement agencies and border control authorities.
In Latin America, in a collaborative effort between DISRUPT and EMPACT, the operation took place from 11-15th December 2023. Six countries participated in it, namely: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, and Spain. During the operation, a total of 1,792 officers were specifically deployed for the Enhanced Airport Deployment (EAD) across four countries. Across various checkpoints, including parcels, luggage, vessels, and containers, a significant volume of items was inspected, totalling 195,880 parcels, 385 luggage pieces, 1 vessel, and 2,285 containers.
The operation resulted in the seizures and confiscations of 678 firearms, including pistols, rifles, gas/alarm guns, airsoft guns, firearm parts, and replicas, along with ammunition of various types. Additionally, other seized items encompassed drugs like marijuana, hashish, ectasis, crack, skank, LSD, as well as forged currency, liquor, and medicines. Furthermore, the operation led to the initiation of 11 new investigations, including control deliveries and house searches, with a total of 246 house searches conducted. The operation included the development of national operational plans, risk assessment, and training on detection techniques tailored to identified risk profiles.
Operation Armstrong, was initiated within the framework of Strategic Goal 3 of the EU Multi-Annual Strategic Plan (MASP), is a concerted effort aimed at addressing the trade of illicit goods and services, both online and offline. Spearheaded by Austria, Spain, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Operation Armstrong emphasises coordinated controls and operations targeting criminal networks engaged in such activities.
This operation is a component of EMPACT FIREARMS and Operational Action OA 3.2, focusing on enhancing national capacities to detect and interdict illicit firearms, their components, and ammunition by conducting enhanced postal and expedited parcel inspections. Operation Armstrong sought to disrupt the flow of illegal firearms, parts, components, and ammunition across borders.
UNODC, in collaboration with EMPACT FIREARMS and a consortium of international partners and participating countries, took the lead in planning and coordinating Operation Armstrong, in Latin America. The initiative received financial support from the EU Global Illicit Flow Programme (GIFP), which enables UNODC to execute Project DISRUPT across the Latin American region. Project DISRUPT aims to empower Latin American states in their efforts to combat the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms and ammunition.
The operation kicked off with a preparatory workshop held in Panama City, Panama, from November 20th to 21st, 2023. During this workshop, participants finalised national operational plans, coordinated Action Day activities, enhanced risk indicators for police and customs cooperation, and established communication and reporting mechanisms.
Following the preparatory workshop, a comprehensive training course on firearms detection was conducted in Panama City, Panama, on November 22nd to 23rd, 2023. This training focused on enhancing the capacities of border control and law enforcement officers to detect firearms trafficking through express and postal services. It aimed to increase awareness of trafficking methods, trends, and organisations while educating participants on detection tools and equipment. Moreover, it empowered criminal justice and border management services to identify illicit firearms trafficking, improved risk assessment, and concealment detection techniques, and fostered enhanced cooperation among border control and law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime.
Operation Armstrong has resulted in significant advancements, fortifying participating nations’ abilities to detect and prevent illicit firearms trafficking. It has promoted collaboration, refined data communication methods crucial for firearms detection, and facilitated the development of operational plans tailored to identified risk profiles.
Overall, Operation Armstrong stands as an initiative in the collective effort to combat transnational organised crime linked to firearms trafficking. It promotes collaboration and communication channels among participating nations, reinforcing their capabilities to address this pressing security challenge effectively.
The results of the Operation are a consequence of the international cooperation and the commitment of Latin American countries to combat the trafficking of firearms, a scourge that fuels violent crimes within their borders. Through unified efforts and collaborative strategies, law enforcement agencies across borders have achieved significant seizures and confiscations, effectively disrupted illicit flow of weapons and curbed the associated violence and criminal activities. This concerted action reflects a shared determination to safeguard communities and uphold peace and security in the region.
