An Amherstburg man was among 11 people arrested in Ontario as part of a nationwide firearms investigation.
The investigation involved a business selling firearms parts. The parts were made using 3D printing technologies and used to create personally manufactured firearms.
The investigation was conducted in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The Ontario Provincial Police executed 14 search warrants in the province and 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;
· illicit drugs including over 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills;
· $33,700 in Canadian currency; and,
· one cryptocurrency wallet.
"Today, our communities are safer because of the collaborative efforts of our policing partners who are working together to reduce the number of personally manufactured firearms being produced and trafficked in communities across the country," explains Detective Inspector Lee Fulford. "The accused have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the regulations surrounding firearms, and the OPP is committed to holding them responsible for their actions."
A 22-year-old from Amherstburg is facing charges of unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, unauthorized possession of a firearm, altering, defacing or removing a serial number on a firearm and manufacturing prohibited firearms.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information about the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of firearms is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.