A 51-year-old resident of Greater Sudbury was arrested and charged last week, following an attempt to have a firearm silencer/ suppressor delivered by-mail.
On Jan. 27, a Canada Post parcel being shipped from an exporter in China to an address in Greater Sudbury was intercepted by the Canadian Border Service Agency, according to a press release.
Upon further examination, police say the parcel was found to contain a firearm silencer/ suppressor, sold under the disguise of a solvent trap or fuel filter.
This distinction was made in accordance with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's definition of a silencer/ suppressor, which is:
A metal tube that is threaded on the inside of each end with the mechanical strength to withstand the forces of discharge and passage of a bullet
Threaded caps to be attached to the metal tube (with or without a pre-drilled bore) with the means of mounting firmly to a firearm
Baffles or an internal component such as a spring or rubber ring capable muffling or silencing the sound of the discharge
These items are considered a prohibited device contrary to section 84 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) was contacted to continue the investigation into the intended recipient and did so, led by members of the Integrated Crime Team (ICT), including the Break Enter and Robbery Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit.
On March 5, members of the ICT with the assistance of the GSPS tactical unit executed a search warrant at the residence in Greater Sudbury, where they found four functioning flashlight Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW) and a 12GA shotgun, as well as several rounds of ammunition.
As a result of the incident, the 51-year-old man was arrested and charged with:
- Unauthorized possession of a Prohibited Device
- Unauthorized importing/exporting of a Prohibited Device
- Unauthorized possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
The suspect has since been released on a Promise to Appear April 15. Where this first appearance will be taking place was not disclosed.
Find more information on how the RCMP distinguishes a firearm silencer/ suppressor from a solvent trap here.
Individuals or businesses that wish to report these items are encouraged to contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 or email [email protected].
