The Center for Defense Information (CDI) has reported on the thriving black market that has existed throughout the U.S. occupation. In a December 2006 report, the CDI stated that “weapons originally supplied by the U.S. and its allies to the Iraqi police have been showing up on the streets and on the black market, likely diverted by theft, loss, or by officers who kept their weapons after quitting the police force”.
Source:Rhea Myerscough and Rachel Stohl, “Uncontrolled Small Arms Perpetuate Insecurity in Iraq,” Center for Defense Information, December 6, 2006.