An investigation that began in Montréal has led to several arrests nationwide, with 11 individuals charged with 58 offences in Ontario.
The probe began when police learned of a business that was selling firearm parts.
“These parts are not compatible with other firearms and are used exclusively to create personally manufactured firearms, which are most commonly produced utilizing 3D printing technologies,” Ontario Provincial Police stated in a news release.
York Regional Police was among the local forces participating in the investigation through the execution of search warrants. In Ontario, the investigation was conducted by the OPP-led provincial weapons enforcement unit, with support from the OPP organized crime enforcement bureau and OPP community street crime unit.
Other municipal policing partners included Durham Regional Police Service, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service, Kingston Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Windsor Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service and Woodstock Police Service, which supported the execution of the search warrants. Additional support was provided by the RCMP and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service.
Eleven individuals, including an underaged 17-year-old, from Listowel, Central Huron, Amherstburg, Hamilton, Norwood, Ancaster Township, New Tecumseth, Gravenhurst, Oakville and Scarborough were arrested.
Fourteen search warrants were executed Tuesday in Ontario and the following items were seized:
- 10 3D-printed firearms (some of which were loaded)
- 16 handguns
- 43 partially manufactured firearms
- 46 unrestricted firearms
- 123 magazines including several prohibited magazines
- 10 3D printers
- thousands of rounds of ammunition
- hundreds of firearm parts
- one suppressor
- 11 airsoft rifles
- four bulletproof vests
- suspected illicit drugs, including more than 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills
- $33,700 in Canadian currency
- one cryptocurrency wallet
Search warrants were also executed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
