In January and February 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Programme, conducted two specialized training course in Pristina. This initiative, under Project Hermes, aimed to enhance the capabilities of thirteen officials from the Designated Postal Operator and Customs Administration in identifying illicit items in postal parcels, with a particular focus on firearms, their parts, components, and ammunition.
The training encompassed both theoretical instruction and practical exercises. Participants were introduced to the operation of X-ray scanners, techniques for analyzing images to detect firearms and their components, and the application of risk analysis to identify potential threats in postal services. A significant component of the course involved hands-on sessions, including a visit to an operational inspection site, allowing attendees to apply their acquired knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Participants were provided with UNODC’s training manual on the identification of firearms in postal parcels and granted one-year access to UNODC’s online training courses on firearms X-ray image analysis, ensuring continued learning and skill development beyond the training sessions. To further reinforce their expertise, a UNODC trainer will conduct regular visits to the postal depot throughout the year, providing on-the-job mentoring and practical guidance to enhance the effective application of acquired skills in real operational settings.
This capacity-building effort is a continuation of UNODC's commitment to counter illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans. By equipping postal and customs officials with advanced detection skills, the programme seeks to strengthen regional security and prevent the unlawful distribution of firearms through postal and courier channels.
This activity is implemented with financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.
Project Hermes enhances the capacity of Western Balkan jurisdictions to counter illicit firearms trafficking through express couriers and postal parcels. By strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving operational capabilities, and fostering public-private cooperation, the project promotes compliance with arms import/export regulations in e-commerce. Through strategic partnerships with the Universal Postal Union, WCO, EUROPOL, and EMPACT Firearms, Project Hermes plays an active role in advancing regional security and stability.
