SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CMC) – The Dominican Republic says it has intercepted and seized a shipment of arms and ammunition that had originated from Miami, Florida and was destined for Haiti.

The General Directorate of Customs (DGA), in coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, said they intercepted the shipment containing 36,000 ammunition capsules, 18 rifle magazines, 13 9mm magazines, a 50-caliber rifle magazine, a silencer, and a pistol box.

The operation also uncovered 23 firearms, including high-calibre rifles and a Uzi machine gun.

The authorities said the shipment, originating from Miami, was in transit to Haiti when it was seized during a detailed inspection. Among the confiscated weapons were a 50mm calibre Barret rifle, 17 rifles of 7.62 calibre, a 9-calibre rifle, five 9mm Glock pistols, and a Uzi machine gun.

They said the operation follows the February seizure of 37 firearms originating from Brooklyn, New York.

The authorities said they are continuing to investigate the case with the support of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the J-2 of the Ministry of Defense, the United States Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other security agencies.

Criminal gangs in Haiti are seeking to take complete control of the capital, Port au Prince, and have launched numerous attacks targeted at residents. May people have been killed.

The United Nations Security Council in 2023 passed a resolution for a Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, aimed at combating gang violence and restoring stability in the country.

Last year, more than 5,600 people were reported killed across Haiti, with gang violence leaving more than one million people homeless in recent years, according to the United Nations.

Illegal firearms were blamed for an increase or a record number of killings in the Caribbean last year. An estimated 90 per cent of weapons used in the region were smuggled in from the United States.