THE Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) on Thursday announced that several firearm suppressors (silencers) and conducted energy weapons (CEWs) have been seized and one male charged after their officers investigated the alleged importation of prohibited devices and weapons.
In early January of 2020, CFSEU-BC’s Illegal Firearms Enforcement Team (IFET) received information that numerous prohibited devices — described as suppressors — and prohibited weapons — described as CEWs — were being purchased online from out of country and shipped to various addresses in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
The investigation progressed and in February of 2020, led to the arrest of the intended recipient of the packages.
Following the arrest, search warrants were executed on a residence in the 900-block of Quadling Avenue, Coquitlam, and a storage locker, resulting in the seizure of items including the following:
– 4 CEWs,
– Approximately 80 grams of suspected cocaine,
– $54,000 in Canadian cash,
– Several items of police uniform clothing
On June 8, John Summers, a 33-year-old male from Coquitlam, was charged with a total of six offences:
– 4 offences in relation to possessing a prohibited weapon, namely a Conducted Energy Weapon under the Criminal Code of Canada,
– 1 offence of unlawfully possess a controlled substance, cocaine, for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act,
– 1 offence of attempt to import a prohibited device, namely, firearm suppressors, under the Criminal Code of Canada.
“The Crime Gun Intelligence and Investigations Group of CFSEU-BC continues to work with our partners in public safety to identify individuals and groups engaged in the Trafficking of prohibited weapons and devices such as firearm suppressors,” said Superintendent Duncan Pound, Operations Officer for CFSEU-BC, on Thursday.
“These weapons and devices in the wrong hands can pose a significant risk to public safety and be used during the commission of serious crimes. CFSEU-BC will continue to investigate individuals suspected of illegally acquiring these items; if you have information that can assist us, please visit our website for more information.”
This investigation is now before the courts. Assistance and support were provided by the Canada Border Services Agency, National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, Burnaby RCMP and Coquitlam RCMP.
