RCMP intercepts 9-mm pistols at Canada Post facility

While designed to be movie props, guns could be adjusted for real use

The RCMP say they’ve arrested a suspected drug trafficker for allegedly shipping prohibited pistols through the mail.

Two 9-millimetre pistols were spotted by the Canada Border Services Agency in Toronto on Oct. 18, setting off a joint RCMP-CBSA investigation, Sgt. Penny Hermann of the RCMP said on Tuesday.

“The international mail processing centre in Toronto intercepted them,” Hermann said. “They were being sent via Canada Post.”

The pistols are designed to be movie props, but are prohibited in Canada because they can be converted to fire live ammunition, Herman said.

The investigation found that the handguns were heading to a Kingston man who is prohibited from owning firearms and is on probation, Hermann said.

“In addition to the firearms, suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, diverted prescription opioids and drug trafficking paraphernalia was found during the search of his residence,” an RCMP statement said. “As a result, another resident was also charged with drug offences.”

Investigators did not expand on how the guns and drugs were intercepted, except to credit policing partnerships.

“This seizure and the accompanying arrests are a great example of how the CBSA employs advance information, innovative technological tools and works in a close partnership with domestic law enforcement partners to keep firearms and harmful drugs out of local communities,” CBSA official Jeff Davidson said in a prepared statement.

Kevin Lyons-Fougere, 26, of Kingston, faces charges of smuggling prohibited goods into Canada, possession of controlled imported goods, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, importing a firearm knowing it is unauthorized, possession of a firearm contrary to a court order and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Kimberley Hearn, 25, also of Kingston, faces charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.