Hundreds of charges laid, 173 guns seized in firearm trafficking operation, police say
CBC
Dozens of people have been arrested and hundreds of criminal charges laid, police say, in connection with with a yearlong investigation into cross-border gun trafficking.
At a news conference hosted by Toronto police Tuesday morning, investigators announced the arrest of 42 people, 442 criminal charges laid and the seizure of 173 guns in Canada and the United States. Three of those arrested are youths, police say.
The joint forces investigation was conducted by Toronto police, York Regional Police, Durham Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, the Canada Border Services Agency and the American Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
"We are all battling the same challenges, illegal guns coming from the United States," York Regional Police Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida said at the press conference.
In one instance, 87 handguns destined for Canada were seized in Chicago, according to police. The guns were covered in bubble wrap, wrapped in holiday paper and hidden in suitcases.
An additional 86 firearms were seized in the GTA.
Of the 42 Canadians arrested, over half were from Toronto, police say. Others were from Barrie, Ont., Pickering, Ont., Whitby, Ont. and Winnipeg.
"One firearm, one round, results in the death of a person on our streets, so this is a very significant seizure," said Toronto police Supt. Steven Watts.
Police said the guns being shipped to Canada originated in Florida, Ohio, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas, where they would have been purchased legally.
Asked how the guns were making their way to Canada, Watts said, "[We have the] largest undefended border in the world, right? We all know that. So there's a variety of smuggling techniques that are used."
Once across the border, the guns can be sold for up to a 500 per cent markup, Watts said.
"So there's a demand for them and they're sold to different individuals, different organized crime groups," he said.
In addition to the firearms seized, investigators say they seized 1,454 rounds of ammunition, three sets of body armour, three auto switches — tools that turn semiautomatic firearms into automatic weapons — and 45 over-capacity magazines, which is a handgun magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds.
The investigation also resulted in the seizure of 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, police say, which carries a street value of approximately $300,000, plus 1.8 kilograms of cocaine, carrying a street value of $190,000.
There's stiff competition among prospective home buyers in the St. John's region because the number of listings are unusually low and demand is surging.
Strong attendance and record sponsorship at the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in North Bay is a good sign the industry is recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Destination Northern Ontario.
A group of Halifax residents is asking the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to look at a provincial decision to greenlight a controversial Fall River development.
Parkside Drive is closed in both directions following reports of a sinkhole, Toronto police say.
The Quebec government will present its fall economic update today.
Aggressive patients and lack of security are making nurses feel unsafe in a rural Western Manitoba emergency union, says the Manitoba Nurses Union.
Saskatoon resident Delynne Bortis knew her commute to work Tuesday morning would be particularly difficult.
WARNING: This story contains details of abuse and intimate partner violence:
The amount of money it takes for people to earn a living wage has increased across the province, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The new owner of Ontario steelmaker Stelco says his company "will not disappoint the people of Hamilton and Nanticoke," where the business's major facilities are based.
A Winnipegger is warning others about an intricate scam she says she almost fell for.