Jean Robert Casimir, a Haitian police officer, was arrested in the United States in December 2024 for his involvement in a vast arms trafficking operation. He confessed to illegally transporting weapons from U.S. territory to Haiti. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the officer transported more than 87 firearms to Haiti illegally between October 2021 and May 2024, as reported by Métronome.
Investigators discovered that Casimir transported weapons of various calibers to Haiti, concealing them in objects such as tires. The weapons were then shipped by boat, arriving primarily at the port of Miragoâne, a strategic city in southwest Haiti. The report also highlighted that these weapons originated in the United States, a critical aspect of the analysis of international arms trafficking.
Investigations revealed that Casimir communicated with more than three individuals in Haiti. These exchanges, found on his cellphone, suggest close coordination with other individuals involved in the trafficking operation. However, although authorities have confirmed the existence of a well-organized network, the identities of the accomplices in Haiti have not yet been disclosed.
Investigators also indicated that Casimir was part of a broader network involving influential figures in Haiti, whose exact roles remain unclear. This discovery raises concerns about the scale of the trafficking and its impact on public safety in Haiti.
The arrest of Jean Robert Casimir is part of ongoing efforts to combat arms trafficking in both the United States and Haiti. U.S. authorities have intensified their efforts to dismantle transnational arms trafficking networks, which often contribute to violence in Haiti. The country, already plagued by political tensions and internal conflicts, has for several years suffered from the consequences of the uncontrolled circulation of firearms, exacerbating insecurity and violence.