Hudson Bay-area man charged after guns, ammo seized in firearms investigation

By Cam Lee

A Hudson Bay-area man faces several charges after a firearms trafficking investigation found more than 60 guns.

The investigation by the RCMP’s Prince Albert Crime Reduction Team (CRT) began earlier this year, and as a result of that investigation, a home in the Viellardville area was searched Mar. 6.

Officers seized 40 rifles, two handguns, approximately 20 other firearms in various states of disassembly, more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition, powder and rifle casings used to reload shells, boxes of prohibited high-capacity rifle magazines, two crates of illegal cigarettes, mint coins and gold jewelry that the RCMP believes are stolen, small amounts of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, and trafficking paraphernalia.

A 56-year-old man was charged with one count of weapons trafficking, and two counts each of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He was remanded into custody and is to be in Nipawin Provincial Court on Wednesday.

“CRT’s mandate is to suppress the activity of criminals that threaten community safety. This is a perfect example of how they can work with local detachments to literally remove risk from our communities,” Staff Sgt. Ryan How, north district manager of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team, said in a release.

“Dozens of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been removed from the underground market, and potentially from getting into criminal hands throughout Saskatchewan.”

The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call their local RCMP detachment by calling 310-RCMP, or to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.