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Timmins Police report 'disturbing trend' of online purchase of gun silencers (4 photos)

NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE
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The Timmins Police Service has investigated three separate incidents where three different men purchased prohibited devices online which constitutes an offence contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

The Timmins Police Service – Criminal Investigations Division, working in conjunction with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), intercepted three “suppressors” as a result of three distinct investigations in the last 12 months. In the first instance, the Timmins Police were alerted by the CBSA as to a suspicious package originating from an exporter in China and destined for a Timmins address.

The investigation led to a search warrant being executed at a Lavigne Avenue residence in March of last year where the item, a prohibited device under the Criminal Code, was located and seized by the Timmins Police Service.

As a result, a 63-year-old male resident of Timmins was charged with unauthorized importing of a prohibited device contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada - unauthorized possession of a weapon contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

The accused was released from police custody on the strength of an Undertaking compelling his attendance at provincial court in Timmins on April 14 of 2020 to address the charges laid against him.

In a second instance in June of last year, the Timmins Police were alerted to a similar set of circumstances in regards to the importing of a similar device from China by a Kamiskotia man.

The investigation led to the eventual seizure of the item in question which was also determined to be a “firearm suppressor” which is a prohibited device under the Criminal Code. The item in question was located and seized by the Timmins Police Service. The subject of the investigation could not be criminally linked to the item in question and was severely admonished by the investigators in this instance.

In the most recent instance, the Timmins Police were once again alerted in November of last year by the CBSA as to a suspicious package originating from an exporter in China and destined for a Timmins address. This investigation led to a search warrant being executed at a Churchill Street residence on Jan. 13 where the item, a “suppressor”, which meets the definition of a prohibited device under the Criminal Code, was located and seized by the Timmins Police Service.

As a result, a 34-year-old male resident of Timmins was charged with unauthorized importing of a prohibited device contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada - unauthorized possession of a weapon contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

The accused was released from police custody on the strength of an undertaking compelling his attendance at provincial court in Timmins on Feb. 16 to address the charges laid against him.

The frequency of such events and the criminal nature of the items being imported are extremely concerning to the Timmins Police Service. Any attempts to secure such items or the actual possession of any prohibited device or weapon constitutes an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. From a police perspective, there is no legitimate or lawful purpose for obtaining or possessing items of this nature.

Simply stated, these items are prohibited under the Criminal Code as it is extremely likely that they are intended to be used for an illegal purpose. As the name would suggest, “suppressors” are intended to suppress or disguise the sound of detonation made when a firearm is discharged. While the intent must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the purpose of disguising the sound made by a gun is likely to allow for some form of nefarious act to take place.

The Timmins Police strongly urge against taking any part in such activity related to securing or acquiring such devices. In at least one of the cases investigated by the Timmins Police Service, the item in question was given an innocuous description on its packaging as being an automotive part in order to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement agencies. This clearly serves as an obvious attempt to mislead CBSA and other law enforcement agencies in regards to offering these illicit prohibited items for sale or importation.

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