A 24-year-old Winnipeg man is in custody and facing a number of charges after a joint investigation into the 3D printing and manufacturing of a gun.

Police say that the investigation began after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) informed the Winnipeg Police Service that goods believed to be used to assemble 3-D-printed guns were intercepted by the CBSA after being sent through the mail.

As the investigation unfolded investigators learned in April 2022 that the accused tried to buy firearms parts in Calgary, Alberta using the identity of another person. In the same month parts were also purchased from an individual in Montreal, Quebec.

Police say that between April and May of this year the accused used the parts to assemble a 3d-printed firearm and then trafficked it to someone else.

WPS Firearms Investigation and Enforcement Unit obtained a search warrant and were able to recover the printed weapon.

On June 25, 2022, Police searched a Prevette Avenue home on the strength of a search warrant and found a number of #D-printed gun parts and compatible ammunition.

Blake Ellison-Crate of Winnipeg has been charged for his alleged involvement with five counts of Weapons Manufacturing / Trafficking, Two counts of Identity Theft. Two counts of Identity Fraud,two counts of Possession Contrary to an Order and Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized.

Ellison-Crate was also charged under the Customs Act for Participate in or Consent to the making of false statements.

© News4.ca 2022