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Jacqui Wakefield, Christopher Giles and Joshua Cheetham
Global Disinformation Unit, BBC World Service
BBC
In a revealing incident, authorities in Haiti retrieved a shipment containing assault rifles and handguns concealed within boxes of food and clothing, shipped from the United States. This delivery, arriving on a cargo vessel filled with shipping containers, highlights the ongoing arms trafficking issues plaguing the Caribbean nation.
Analysis from a collaborative investigation by BBC World Service and BBC Verify illustrates how U.S. firearms are making their way to Haiti, underscoring weak regulations, insufficient checks, and alleged corruption that traffickers exploit to circumvent a United Nations embargo on arms shipments.
The Seizure
In April 2024, Haitian law enforcement announced the successful interception of this cargo, which included 12 assault rifles, 14 handguns, and 999 rounds of ammunition. Photographs released by the police confirm that the firearms were sourced from two different manufacturers based in the U.S.
The shipment originated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, traveling approximately 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) via the cargo ship Rainer D to Cap-Haitien in northern Haiti. According to findings from a United Nations panel monitoring Haitian sanctions, the containers were loaded in a warehouse yard in Fort Lauderdale, where Diasporic Haitians often send aid in the form of food and essentials.
An individual named Anestin Predestin mentioned to the Miami Herald that he rented space in the container in late February 2024, where another individual, claiming to be “Diamortino,” allegedly delivered the boxes labeled as containing “clothes.” Predestin expressed astonishment upon discovering their true contents. Efforts to reach Predestin for further comment were unsuccessful.
It remains unclear where the firearms were procured, but previous apprehensions indicate purchases in Florida, a state notorious for its lenient gun laws. Until recent regulatory shifts initiated by President Joe Biden, Florida allowed unlicensed private sellers to transact firearms without background checks.
The United Nations panel reported that two Haitian brothers based in the U.S. are believed to have utilized “straw buyers,” individuals hired to procure weapons on their behalf. Experts characterize this method as prevalent in arms trafficking, as it often segments the illegal shipments into smaller, manageable consignments.
Shipping: A Complicated Process
The shipping operation was facilitated by Alliance International Shipping, based in Florida, as reported by Haitian police. While the company does not own its own vessels for transit to Haiti, it arranges shipping space and resells it to clients like Predestin.
Gregory Moraille, president of Alliance International Shipping, stated that the company supplies empty containers and does not physically handle the cargo, expressing regret over their inability to prevent illicit shipments. He noted that many staff members hail from Haiti and have been directly affected by the violence stemming from gun-related incidents.
Challenges of Enforcement
Inquiries made by the BBC to U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the possibility of inspecting the shipment prior to its departure went unanswered. A prior UN report indicated that, despite increased searches, only a small percentage of the containers dispatched weekly from South Florida are subjected to scrutiny.
Former Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) official Bill Kullman criticized the U.S. enforcement checks, labeling them as inconsistent and inefficient given the sheer volume of outgoing cargo.
Once in Haiti
The discovery of the arms was made during a focused search operation by Haitian police within the shipping container. According to the UN panel, a senior customs official was implicated in the scandal, having moved one of the boxes for personal transportation shortly after the discovery, ultimately leading to his arrest and termination.
Law enforcement is currently seeking a man named Wilmane Jean, listed as the consignee responsible for the shipment, who is reportedly fleeing and has suspected ties to gang activities in the northern region of Haiti. Reports from the UN have indicated that the Haitian customs system is overwhelmed with challenges, including inadequate resources, widespread corruption at high levels, and the omnipresent threat from gangs.
Queries directed to Haitian customs for insight went unanswered.
Gang Influence and Violence
At the time of the shipment’s packing, Port-au-Prince was experiencing a surge in gang-related violence, with gangs orchestrating mass prison breaks and blockades of key transport hubs. In March 2024, faced with these dire circumstances, Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign while unable to return from an official overseas journey.
Statistics provided by the UN recorded 5,601 fatalities attributed to gang violence in Haiti during 2024. Further reports indicate that nearly one-tenth of the population—over a million individuals—has been displaced, while half of the populace grapples with severe food insecurity, amidst escalating kidnapping and extortion incidents.
One survivor, Wilson, recounted his harrowing escape from gunfire during gang clashes, now residing in an overcrowded school turned shelter after sustaining a leg injury. His experience echoes the widespread chaos faced by many in the country.
Experts assert that local authorities lack the capability to reinstate security, despite the backing from an international force, which includes 800 police officers from Kenya. Romain le Cour, a Haiti specialist, notes that gangs now exert control over approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince, underscoring the dire security landscape.
Social media has become a platform where gang members flaunt high-powered firearms, with some experts confirming the presence of American-made guns among them. The continuous supply of weapons remains a significant contributor to the ongoing violence and instability within the region.
Trafficking Patterns and Potential Remedies
In an effort to gauge the magnitude of arms trafficking through established shipping lanes, the BBC analyzed customs data supplied by CargoFax. This analysis included scrutinizing a roster of individuals currently sanctioned due to alleged gang affiliations in Haiti, alongside those arrested as suspected arms traffickers.
The examination revealed that 286 shipments had been consigned to 26 individuals before they encountered legal issues. Among these, Prophane Victor, a former parliament member and UN-designated arms trafficker, was noted multiple times as a consignee and was arrested in Haiti in January.
The Road Ahead: Addressing Trafficking
Experts, such as Romain le Cour, emphasize that U.S. authorities must increase efforts to combat trafficking. Kullman advocates for the establishment of a voluntary code of conduct addressing suspicious sales and better information sharing among gun dealers, highlighting the political difficulties in effecting significant amendments to gun legislation.
Proposals for universal gun registration, akin to vehicle registrations, could offer tracking capabilities that enhance accountability. Jonathan Lowy from Global Action on Gun Violence underscored the responsibility of manufacturers to act against dealers known for trafficking suspicions, suggesting that such actions could halt prevalent trafficking operations originating from the U.S.
Despite increased international focus on this pressing issue, le Cour lamented the lack of genuine action: “We know what the problems are, yet nothing is being done to solve them.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Spencer, BBC Verify
Graphics by Daniel Arce-López, Jake Friend, Kate Gaynor, Gerry Fletcher and Caroline Souza
Source
www.bbc.com