Canada

Ghost guns and parts seized after raids in West Kelowna and Lumby – Kelowna News

Big Ghost Gun Seizure

Photo: The Canadian Press – file photo

A “significant” number of ghost guns have been taken off the streets after two separate home invasions in the Okanagan.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says it made the seizures after intercepting parts coming into the country at international mail hubs.

CBSA officials say the 3-D printed parts are mailed to Canada and assembled as “ghost guns” that have no serial number and cannot be tracked.

The latest seizure came after CBSA officers identified firearm parts arriving via international mail in Toronto and Vancouver.

That prompted investigators to look into the people importing the parts.

As a result of the investigation, agents raided homes in both West Kelowna and Lumby.

On April 27, CBSA officials say a 3-D printer was in the process of creating a lower receiver for a gun when they raided a home in West Kelowna.

Six more lower barrels of pistols were also seized. A 46-year-old man has been detained and released pending further enquiries.

The next day, investigators seized a loaded 9mm handgun without a serial number, nine unregistered long guns, a prohibited knife, a taser and four boxes of ammunition during a home invasion in Lumby.

A 27-year-old man, who authorities say was prohibited from possessing a firearm, was arrested and also released pending further investigation.

“Canada Border Agency officers remain on alert to seize contraband firearms and firearm parts. This continues to be a top priority for the Agency and an important way we contribute to the public safety of Canada, protecting the communities we serve every day,” said CBSA Director of Intelligence and Enforcement John Linde.

Between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2022, the CBSA Pacific Region seized 581 firearms at ports of entry and a further 218 in the execution of border-related search warrants.