LONDON, ON, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - As the result of a joint Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation, a London man has been charged with several weapons-related offences.
The investigation began when CBSA officers at the International Mail Processing Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia intercepted a parcel containing prohibited weapons, on August 23, 2013, addressed to a London resident. The parcel, which originated from Singapore, was examined and found to contain two stun guns.
London CBSA Criminal Investigations then contacted the London RCMP detachment, who continued with the investigation and obtained grounds for a search warrant. On September 6, 2013, the RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in the area of Trafalgar Street and Highbury Avenue North in London. During the execution of the search warrant, police located additional prohibited weapons including a stun gun, brass knuckles, pepper spray and a flick knife. A small quantity of marihuana was also located during the search.
As a result of this investigation, the RCMP have charged Josh Medina (23 years old) of London, Ontario with two counts of importation of a prohibited weapon, six counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and six counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon under the Criminal Code. He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act by the RCMP, and with smuggling and possession of illegally imported goods under the Customs Act by the CBSA
"The CBSA places a high priority on the detection and interdiction of undeclared firearms and prohibited weapons," said Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region. "The CBSA works closely with the RCMP to protect the safety and security of Canadians."
"The London RCMP is committed to keeping dangerous prohibited weapons out of our community," stated S/Sgt. Steve Arthur, acting Officer in Charge of RCMP London Detachment. "The success of this investigation was a direct result of the joint efforts of the CBSA and the RCMP."
Josh Medina is scheduled to appear at the London court house on October 18, 2013.
Anyone with information in regard to suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060, your nearest Ontario RCMP Detachment at 1-800-387-0020 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Cpl. D'Arcy Cartier
Media Relations Officer
London Detachment
RCMP "O" Division
519-645-4329 ext.238
Twitter: @RCMPONT
Facebook: RCMP.Ontario
YouTube: RCMPGRCPOLICE
CBSA, SOR Media Relations
905-354-2011 or 519-967-4330
[email protected]
Twitter: @CanBorder
Facebook: CanBorder
YouTube: CanBorder
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