As in previous years, INL training programs continue to focus on the interagency approach and bring together, where possible, law enforcement, judicial and central bank authorities in assessments and training programs. This approach allows for an exchange of information and dialogue not usually undertaken by those attending the training seminars and has proven successful in various parts of the globe. An initiative to work with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the FBI and USCS is designed to recover U.S. stolen vehicles from Central America and the Caribbean. The U.S. has developed a model treaty to identify, recover, and return stolen vehicles to their owners, and a training program for local law enforcement to recover these vehicles. This treaty has been signed with Belize, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala.
Talks are still underway with Honduras, Panama, and Venezuela.
Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela have received training on combating stolen car trafficking. Teams from these two agencies also performed needs assessments and assisted authorities in tracing seized firearms in ten countries. In addition, an International Firearms Regional Seminar attended by key law enforcement personnel from 15 countries was conducted last year in Miami. Since 1993, an inter-agency working group chaired by INL has coordinated the interdiction of 15 Chinese alien smuggling vessels and the return of their illegal immigrants to China. The United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Crime Commission, and the International Maritime Organization have adopted resolutions condemning alien smuggling and directing the creation of protocols to the Organized Crime Convention regarding alien smuggling and trafficking of women and children.