The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), a joint force operation between the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Calgary Police Service (CPS), has charged three individuals in relation to weapons trafficking and the possession of illegal firearms.
In September 2022, IBET was notified by CBSA that a suspicious package addressed to an Eckville residence had been intercepted. An examination of the package's contents revealed 10 Polymer80 lower Glock handgun kits. Two additional packages, which contained 9 polymer lowers for AR-15 rifles and one upper receiver with a barrel, were intercepted by CBSA in April 2023.
Over the duration of eight months, IBET conducted a comprehensive investigation that led to search warrants being executed in Eckville, Rocky Mountain House and Calgary on May 3, 2023. As a result of this investigation, RCMP seized numerous prohibited handguns, long barrel guns, and evidence of manufacturing various firearms.
A 30-year-old individual, a resident of Eckville, was arrested and charged with:
- Importing or Exporting Knowing it is Unauthorized contrary to section 103(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (x2);
- Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code (x2);
- Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code (x3);
- Possession for Purpose of Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 100(1) of the Criminal Code (x2);
- Making Automatic Firearm contrary to section 102(1) of the Criminal Code (x2);
- Contravention of Storage Regulations contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Smuggling into Canada contrary to section 159 of the Customs Act (x3).
A 63-year-old individual, a resident of Rocky Mountain House, was arrested and charged with:
- Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 100(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Office contrary to section 96(3) of the Criminal Code;
- Contravention of Storage Regulations contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code.
A 38-year-old individual, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession in Motor Vehicle contrary to section 94(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession for Purpose of Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 100(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence contrary to section 96 of the Criminal Code;
- Contravention of Storage Regulations contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of Prohibited Weapon, Device or Ammunition Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(2) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code;
The 30-year-old individual is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 23, 2023, while the 63-year-old individual is scheduled to appear on May 24, 2023, and the 38-year-old individual is scheduled to appear on June 9, 2023.
"Firearm violence has impacted several communities across the nation and the policing community as a whole. This investigation serves as an important reminder that the fight to prevent illegal firearms from entering Canada is always ongoing. This is yet another demonstration on the importance of collaboration. With the support of CBSA, CPS and the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, the RCMP has prevented three suspects from distributing these dangerous and illegal firearms to Alberta communities."
- Supt. Sean Boser, OIC of Federal Policing – Calgary
"We're taking action to keep Canadians safe from gun violence. Our work begins at the border, stopping illegal firearms from coming into Canada and disrupting criminal activity. I want to thank our CBSA officers, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service who work together to keep our communities safe."
- Lisa Laurencelle-Peace, Regional Director General, CBSA Prairie Region
"We continue to see success in the cooperation and coordination of our IBET partners. Gun crime is being addressed by multiple areas of the Calgary Police Service through investigation, enforcement and prevention. In this instance we were able to work with our partners to maintain public safety and ensure illegally imported and manufactured firearms are kept out of our city, communities across Alberta and out of the hands of criminals."
- Acting Superintendent Jason Bobrowich – Criminal Operations and Intelligence Division
IBET's mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.