Two people from Woodstock face a combined 27 charges after border police came across a number of prohibited firearms materials, including several 3D printers allegedly used to print parts needed to build so-called “ghost guns.”
According to Oxford County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), members of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) were conducting a routine courier inspection last month when officers came across a package containing illegal devices destined for an address in Woodstock.
Following the discovery, the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) was contacted and an investigation was launched. Members of the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), along with CBSA and Woodstock Police Service, obtained a warrant to search an address which led to the seizure of additional prohibited devices used to assemble ghost guns. The term “ghost guns” refers to firearms, or firearm parts which are unserialized and untraceable. They are often purchased online and assembled at home.
On top of the ghost gun parts, investigators obtained three 3D printers, one of which police say was processing firearms parts when it was located. A fully assembled ghost gun, two 3D printed frames, and an unspecified amount of suspected morphine, pills, suspected cocaine, stolen property and cash were also located by police.
Police have since arrested a 33-year-old and a 36-year-old in the case. The duo faces charges including smuggling prohibited goods into Canada, possession of illegally imported goods, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, possession for the purpose of weapons trafficking, possession of a schedule I substance among other offences.
The 33-year-old was held for bail and is charged with 16 crimes, while the 36-year-old, who faces 11 charges, was released from custody. They are scheduled to appear in court in Woodstock at a later date.
