Ghost Gun
A 31-year-old man is facing a number of weapons-related offences after police find “ghost guns” in his possession.
On May 14, 2020, police from the WPS Firearms Investigation Enforcement Unit (FIEU) began an investigation after they learned a male had attempted to buy a prohibited component for an AR-15 rifle from a firearms reseller in Winnipeg.
Officers executed a search warrant on a home on West Avenue and located 28 firearms including 10 registered restricted handguns, one registered prohibited firearm, and 17 other long guns.
During the investigation, officers learned that a prohibited AR-15 lower end receiver had been 3–D printed.
A second search warrant was executed for the same residence and officers seized Computers, a 3-D printer, hard drives, memory sticks, and various gun parts were seized.
Police say that during the second search they also seized a number of ‘cast-off’ components that had been 3-D printed.
Police also learned that the lower receiver on a Glock 19 handgun had been 3-D printed and fitted to a legitimate upper receiver making the weapon fully functioning.
Investigators also learned that one of the accused’s registered restricted handguns was not located during the search and had not been reported lost or stolen.
Corey James BOYD was arrested and charged for his alleged involvement with Weapons Trafficking, Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized and Lost Firearm or Weapon not Reported.
He was detained in custody.
Fire Arms Trafficking
FIEU also arrested five men in connection to an unrelated firearm trafficking investigation.
On April 21 Guns and Gangs Unit officers seized a 45 calibre semi-automatic handgun during the execution of a search warrant on Downing Street.
An investigation into the origin of the weapon led officers from FIEU to a location on Maple Street. During the search police learned that of the 17 guns registered to the resident only four could be located. The male indicated that the rest of the weapons were in a storage locker in an Inkster Industrial Park.
As officers continued the investigation they learned that the contents of the locker had been sold at auction the year before.
Marc Charles ARCHAMBAULT, 53, from Winnipeg was charged for his alleged involvement with Possess Firearm at Unauthorized Place, Store Firearm or Restricted Weapon Contrary to Regulations, and Lost Firearm or Weapon not Reported.
He was released on an undertaking.
Officers tracked down the person who had purchased the contents of the storage locker who told police he had sold the firearms to a person he knew.
He was arrested for Firearms Trafficking and released pending an opinion from Manitoba Prosecution Services.
Police soon located the individual who had purchased the firearms at a home on Parkdale Road in St. Andrews.
Investigators say this person had also sold a number of the weapons and believe he split the cash with the person who had purchased the locker contents. Officers also seized six long guns and two restricted handguns that had been in the locker.
Pedro Paulo DESOUSA, 56, from St. Andrews was charged for his alleged involvement with weapons trafficking.
He was released on a promise to appear.
Police tracked down the person Desousa allegedly sold the weapons to and charged him for firearms trafficking.
Donald GULENCHYN, 44, from St. Andrews was charged for his alleged involvement with Weapons Trafficking.
Police say they believe that Gulenchyn was working in partnership with another person when he purchased the weapons from Desousa.
On May 13, 2020, Police executed a search warrant at a home on Alexander Avenue. No weapons were removed but a male was taken into custody.
Michael William DAVIDSON 42, from Winnipeg was charged for his alleged involvement with Weapons Trafficking, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Oxycodone.
© News4.ca 2020
