A Winnipeg man is facing weapons charges after a lengthy investigation revealed he purchased and sold guns to a known gang member over the past two years.
Winnipeg police say their firearms investigations and enforcement unit (FIEU) underwent a months-long investigation involving the straw purchase of multiple firearms and ammunition.
A straw purchase is the purchase of a firearm by a licensed buyer with the intention of handing it off to someone who can’t pass a required federal background check or doesn’t want their name attached to the purchase.
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The investigation, which began in March, determined firearms and ammunition were purchased from a local business. The buyer then sold them to a known gang member between July 2021 and November 2022. Some of the firearms were also traded for drugs.
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The weapons involved in the straw purchase include six .22 calibre rifles and one 9 mm calibre rifle. Various ammunition was also sold or traded.
On May 16 FIEU, RCMP and the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team executed a search warrant at an Inwood, Man., residence and located a cellphone, a Firearms Possession Acquisition Licence (PAL) card, a .50 calibre rifle with ammunition and a rifle-style pellet gun.
A 23-year-old man faces two counts of weapons trafficking. He has since been released.
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