Ghost Guns Bust in Woodstock Leads to 27 Charges

Thursday, 10 November 2022 14:51

By Brad Kraemer

"Ghost guns" are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online or elsewhere.

WOODSTOCK - 27 charges have been laid in "ghost gun" investigation.

The OPP's Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have seized a variety of prohibited devices and firearm components, as well as several 3D printers utilized to print parts needed to assemble "ghost guns".

"Ghost guns" are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online or elsewhere.

During routine courier inspections in October 2022, the CBSA intercepted prohibited devices destined for an address in Woodstock. As a result, an investigation by the PWEU and CBSA begun.

Yesterday, the PWEU, Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Oxford OPP, CBSA and Woodstock Police Service executed a search warrant at the address the devices were intended to arrive at. They were able to locate and seize several prohibited devices utilized to manufacture "ghost guns."

Also seized at the residence were three 3D printers. One of the printers was in the process of printing parts needed to manufacture "ghost guns" at the time of seizure.

In addition, a fully assembled and loaded "ghost gun" was seized, two 3D printed frames as well as a quantity of suspected morphine pills, suspected cocaine, stolen property and cash.

A man and a woman from Woodstock were arrested and charged with numerous offenses.

33-year-old James Hansen is in custody and is facing the following 16 charges under the Customs Act, Criminal Code (CC) and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA):

Smuggling of prohibited goods into Canada - Customs Act section 159(1)
Possession of illegally imported goods - Customs Act section 155
Possession of loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm - CC section 95(a)
Possession of a Prohibited device or ammunition - CC section 92(2) - three counts
Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking - CC section 100
Trafficking in Firearm, Weapon, Device or Ammunition - CC section 99
Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I (Opioid) for the purpose of trafficking - CDSA section 5(2)
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm - CC section 91(1) - four counts
Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order - CC section 117.01(1) - two counts
Importing a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon, Prohibited Device - CC section 103(1)(a)

Melissa White is 36 years old and has been released from custody. She faces these 11 charges under the Customs Act, CC and CDSA:

Possession of loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm - CC section 95(a)
Possession of a Prohibited device or ammunition - CC section 92(2) - three counts
Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking - CC section 100
Trafficking in Firearm, Weapon, Device or Ammunition - CC section 99
Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I (Opioid) for the purpose of trafficking - CDSA section 5(2)
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm - CC section 91(1) - four counts

The accused will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Woodstock at a later date.