On January 27, 2020, the Canadian Border Service Agency (C.B.S.A.) intercepted a parcel being shipped through Canada Post from an exporter in China to an address in Greater Sudbury. C.B.S.A. Officers examined the parcel discovering a firearm silencer/suppressor sold under the disguise of a solvent trap or a fuel filter. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) has determined that devices with the following characteristics meet the definition of a silencer/suppressor;

  • 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 discharge

These items are considered a prohibited device contrary to section 84 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Based on the offence and the destination of the package, the C.B.S.A. contacted us in order to continue the investigation. The investigation was assigned to members of the Integrated Crime Team (I.C.T.) consisting of our Break Enter and Robbery (B.E.A.R.) Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit (D.E.U.) who conducted a thorough investigation into the intended recipient of the device.

On March 5, 2020, members of our I.C.T. with the assistance of our Tactical Unit executed a Search Warrant at a residence in Greater Sudbury locating the following;

  • Four functioning flashlight Conducted Energy Weapons (C.E.W.)
  • A 12GA shotgun along with several rounds of ammunition

As a result of the investigation, a 51 year old man was arrested and charged with the following offences;

  • 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 man was released on a Promise to Appear with a First Appearance court date of April 15, 2020. His name cannot be release as the information has not yet been sworn to through the Court process.

We want to remind the public that these items are considered prohibited devices and that we will continue to work collaboratively with the C.B.S.A. to conduct collaborative investigations ensuring the safety and security of our community.

For more information on these devices, please visit the R.C.M.P. website http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/solvent-traps

Individuals or businesses that wish to report these items are encouraged to contact the Canadian Firearms Program by phone at 1-800-731-4000 or via email at cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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