13.7 C
Kawartha Lakes
Sunday, October 13, 2024
No menu items!
HomeNews274 Illegal Firearms Seized In Record Breaking Bust Involving OPP And United...

274 Illegal Firearms Seized In Record Breaking Bust Involving OPP And United States Homeland Security

ONTARIO-The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) and the United States (US) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have seized 274 illegal firearms, including 168 in the US and 106 in Ontario.

16 people are facing numerous charges. One was on full parole at the time and another on statutory release.

Courtesy OPP

 

Courtesy OPP

 

Courtesy OPP

Police say this is the largest seizure of handguns and assault-style rifles in the province’s history.

‘Illegal firearms pose a serious risk to public safety. They are often used by organized crime groups, including street gangs, to broaden and secure drug trafficking networks. They are also used in violent crimes including robberies, carjackings, intimidation, extortion and homicide. By working collaboratively with US policing partners, the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) will continue to combat the smuggling and trafficking of illegal firearms within the Province of Ontario.’ said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.

In early 2023, HSI and PWEU commenced an investigation into two individuals who were seeking to traffic firearms in the Greater Toronto Area. Project SAXOM was initiated by PWEU in Ontario with support from HSI and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (ATF)

Project DUAL APPROACH commenced in the US, led by HSI Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) Buffalo and supported by HSI Miami, PWEU and ATF.

As a result of Project DUAL APPROACH, 168 illegal firearms were intercepted before they could be smuggled into Ontario. One dual citizen (of Canada and the US) has been arrested and will be prosecuted in the US.

‘Homeland Security Investigations is committed to leveraging our resources to help dismantle firearms trafficking organizations and working to keep guns out of the hands of criminals on both sides of our northern border. Our goal is for law-abiding residents to enjoy safety in their communities, and holding these criminals accountable for their actions is a major step toward achieving that. The results of this investigation are only possible through robust cooperation and communication and with that, I would like to thank the Ontario Provincial Police, HSI Toronto, HSI Miami, and the ATF for their partnership in this case.’ stated  HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino.

Project SAXOM utilized traditional investigative techniques, including covert operations, to infiltrate a group of individuals seeking to traffic firearms in the Greater Toronto Area. As the investigation progressed, additional suspects belonging to five distinct criminal networks were identified. In addition to trafficking firearms, PWEU also discovered that several of the accused were also trafficking illicit drugs.

 

Courtesy OPP

 

In Ontario, PWEU executed 17 search warrants at locations in the GTA and Niagara Region on February 13 and February 14, 2024. The results of Ontario enforcement efforts (Project SAXOM) include the seizure of a total of 106 illegal firearms, some of which were loaded. Seized items include:

·      88 illegal handguns including restricted and prohibited handguns and AK-47-style and AR-15-style prohibited pistols/handguns. This includes two restricted handguns (.40 calibre) that had been converted to fully automatic firearms.

·      18 long guns. This includes non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited rifles and one shotgun.

·      118 prohibited devices. This includes one silencer, one conducted energy weapon, 20 brass knuckles, 22 prohibited knives and 74 prohibited firearm magazines. One of the prohibited firearm magazines is a “drum magazine” (for a handgun that holds 50 rounds of .40cal ammunition), and other over-capacity magazines that have the ability to hold between 11 and 31 rounds of ammunition.

·      Approximately 1,700 rounds of ammunition.

·      Approximately 23 kilograms of methamphetamine.

·      More than 1 kilogram of high-potency fentanyl, equivalent to 60,000 to 70,000 street-level doses.

·      688 suspected fentanyl pills.

·      1.3 kilograms of suspected cocaine.

·      197 grams of suspected heroin.

·      877 opioid pills.

·      280 grams of suspected psilocybin.

·      432 grams of an unknown substance and 20 unknown prescription pills.

·      $63,332 in Canadian currency.

·      $4,689 in US currency.

The potential street value of the illicit drugs and illegal firearms seized in Ontario is approximately $3.25 million.

This investigation resulted in 16 arrests in Ontario. One individual, Eric ROBINSON, 35 of St. Catharines remains wanted. In total, PWEU has laid 279 charges under the Criminal Code (CC) and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Six of the accused are subject to lifetime firearms prohibition bans.

One accused was on full parole. Another was on Statutory Release.

 

Don't forget to sign up for our morning newsletter.

Catch up on all the local news while enjoying your coffee.

Most Popular

Kawartha 411