PORT-AU-PRINCE — A recent report by the UN Panel of Experts on Haiti revealed that over 908,000 rounds of ammunition were diverted from police stockpiles in the Dominican Republic within a single year, with much of it allegedly reaching armed gangs in Haiti. The findings, published on October 6, draw a direct connection between Dominican ammunition and the operational capabilities of several Haitian gangs, including the notorious 400 Mawozo.
The investigation traces its origins to the seizure of crates containing 5,000 rounds of 5.56 × 45 mm ammunition in Mirebalais, Haiti. As Dominican authorities reviewed their police inventories post-seizure, they uncovered the significant diversion of ammunition. While the report indicates a clear link to gangs in Haiti, it does not specify the exact amount that crossed the border.
“It is difficult to accurately estimate how much of the material reached Haiti,” the UN experts noted, referencing insights from Dominican security personnel who suggested that the majority of the ammunition was likely transported due to the limited local market for such weaponry in the Dominican Republic.
Ammunition Traced to Dominican Military Supplies
In further investigations, the UN panel found ammunition seized from Haitian gangs marked “ERD,” indicating Dominican Republic Forces origin. Dominican and Colombian authorities revealed that this ammunition had been acquired under contracts with the Dominican Armed Forces in 2022. The UN report highlighted the effective marking practices by Dominican forces, aimed at better managing stock and preventing diversion.
Additionally, a December 2025 incident involved the arrest of a Dominican Army second lieutenant who was apprehended while transporting large quantities of ammunition alongside a Haitian national. The report also noted that surplus .50-caliber rounds, dating back to the 1950s and manufactured in the Dominican Republic, were displayed by gang leaders.
The Dominican government responded to the findings by asserting that they were destroying surplus ammunition and had detected no diversion. However, the UN experts mentioned that certain quantities were still available for collectors, making them vulnerable to misuse.
Diverted Haitian Police Ammunition
The report also exposed the diversion of ammunition from the Haitian National Police (PNH), with an alarming 70% of 336 rounds seized during an operation in Bel Air traced back to PNH stockpiles. The UN experts stated that several corrupt police officers had been arrested for trafficking weapons and ammunition to gang factions. Reports indicated that some officers sold unused ammunition, contributing to the escalating gang violence.
Crucially, the report identified that both 5.56 x 45 mm rounds and 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition associated with the Haitian Armed Forces were found in the possession of gangs. This reflected the dire state of accountability regarding seized firearms, with experts calling attention to the absence of a centralized tracking system for these materials.
While Dominican and Haitian authorities have yet to formally comment on the report’s findings, the ongoing arms trafficking phenomenon continues to escalate in Haiti, where an insatiable demand for weaponry supports criminal enterprises.
The UN’s report culminates amid a backdrop of increasing violence in Port-au-Prince, with gangs now controlling over 85% of the capital. The UN has reported that in 2026 alone, more than 5,700 people fell victim to the violence, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention and regulation.
