2 charged with weapons trafficking in connection with Winnipeg investigation into 3D-printed guns

Two men have been charged with weapons trafficking in connection with an investigation into the production of 3D-printed guns that started in November, Winnipeg police say.

With help from Canada Border Services Agency investigators, they arrested a 23-year-old manon Dec. 21and a24-year-old man onJan. 30. Each was charged with two counts of weapons trafficking.

Investigators allege the pair, both of whom wereknown to police, directed the production and trafficking of several "ghost guns" between June and December 2022.

The men were already in the Winnipeg Remand Centre and Headingley Correctional Centre when they were arrested on the latest charges,a Wednesday news release from Winnipeg police said.

The 23-year-old was initially arrested and chargedafter a Dec. 16 incident, whena 3D-printed gun was pointed at someone at a mall in the 1400 block of Portage Avenue, Winnipeg police Const. Dani McKinnon confirmed on Wednesday.

She didn't identify the mall, but that's the same block where Polo Park shopping centre is located.

Police were called that day after reports of a man with a gun. Mall security tracked asuspect to a restaurant nearby on St. James Street, where he wasarrested and police seized the gun, according to a news release at the time.

Police believe he got into an altercation at the mall and pulled the gun on a male known to him. He was charged with pointing a firearmas well as several firearm possession charges, including carrying a concealed weapon.

5 ghost guns seized last year: police

The arrests of the 23- and 24-year-old men come after two others age19 and 30 were arrested and charged with weapons trafficking offences in November.

In early December, Winnipeg police and the Canada Border Services Agency alleged a criminal network paid legitimate 3D-printer servicesto make the receiver part of handguns. The parts were then combined with other parts to assembleghost guns for sale.

The 19- and 30-year-old were arrested after twoWinnipeg residences were searched and officers found a series of 3D printers, 15 3D-manufactured firearm receivers at one location and seven at another, police said in an early December news release.

Police from across the countryand at the Canada-U.S. borderhave noted a rise in the production and distribution of 3D-printed parts and fully assembled ghost guns a name that stems from the fact they're untraceable, sincethey don't haveserial numbers or other identifying markings.

Const. McKinnon saidWinnipeg police seized 14 guns with 3D-printed parts last year and five fully assembled ghost guns.

The first time police made arrests related to ghost guns in Winnipeg was in 2020, and police and border services agents have found more in the ensuing years.

In Wednesday's news release, Winnipeg police issued a reminder that3D-printed guns are illegal to manufacture and sell, and askedanyone with information about the production or sale of suchguns to contact investigators at 204-986-3258or call Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.