In a collaborative effort, the INTERPOL Firearms Programme and the INTERPOL Regional Bureau of Buenos Aires orchestrated two National Firearms Trainings for Chile under GIFP action DISRUPT. The first session, held in Santiago on November 27-28, 2023, targeted officers from the metropolitan region, while the second session occurred on November 30 – December 01 in Iquique, focusing on officers from the northern region. Over 50 officers from various agencies, including NCB Santiago, Directorate of Criminalistics, Directorate of Anti-narcotics and Organised Crime, Directorate of Theft and Criminal activities and the Centre for National Criminal Analysis, were trained on firearms trafficking detection and investigation. The sessions delved into INTERPOL protocols, such as the Firearms Recovery Protocol, and emphasised standardised procedures, investigative techniques, and the use of tools like the INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table (IFRT) and the INTERPOL Arms Records and Tracing Management System (iARMS) for firearms identification and tracing.
Additionally, the INTERPOL Firearms Programme conducted a visit to the Chilean firearms manufacturer FAMAE on December 4, 2023. The meetings aimed to enhance the IFRT with information and pictures gleaned from discussions on firearm models, specifications, and markings. Not only did the visit facilitate discussions on best practices, but it also tackled challenges related to international trace requests, definitive firearm marking, and the utilisation of hidden codes for traceability, even in cases of obliterated markings.
In conjunction with the training, INTERPOL’s delegation held meetings with key organisations in Chile, including the Head of National Criminalistics of the Investigations Police, Inspector Mauricio Mercado Andaur, to explore possibilities for the criminal lab to trace illicit firearms through iARMS. Discussions also touched on the commitment to the IBIN Pilot, mapping illegal firearm use, and identifying trafficking routes. The Counter-trafficking Intelligence Division and the Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Mr. Ernesto Moeller Oberg, were engaged to reinforce efforts in intelligence sharing, combating organised crime groups like Tren de Aragua, and enhancing the use of iARMS. The commitment of Chile to combat firearms-related crimes was reiterated by Inspector Catalina Barría Becerra, Head of International Police Cooperation, highlighting the nation’s dedication to countering the surge in violence linked to organised criminal activities.
