Antigonish County District RCMP, with assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), has charged a man with smuggling and firearms offences.
On May 6, 2022, the CBSA intercepted a package that was being shipped to a Paq'tnkek man. Contained within the package was a firearm suppressor, which is a prohibited device. On May 19, Antigonish County District RCMP were advised of the interception and an investigation was started.
On June 27, the package was delivered to the man, who was immediately arrested. Search warrants were then executed at two homes in Antigonish County. During the searches, RCMP officers seized firearms, some of which were loaded and unsafely stored, and ammunition. A woman was also arrested at one of the homes.
Michael Alexander Kane, 40, of Paq'tnkek, has been charged with the following:
- Importing a Prohibited Device;
- Smuggling into Canada (Customs Act);
- Acquiring of Goods Illegally Imported (Customs Act);
- Careless Use of a Firearm (2 counts);
- Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (2 counts);
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (4 counts);
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (4 counts);
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device;
- Possession of a Firearm or Prohibited Device Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized (5 counts);
- Possession of a Firearm or Prohibited Device Contrary to Prohibition Order (5 counts)
The RCMP brought Kane before the Antigonish Provincial Court on June 27. Kane was subsequently released on conditions by the court. Kane will return to Antigonish Provincial Court on September 28, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
The investigation was led by the Antigonish County District RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU), with assistance from the CBSA and Antigonish County District RCMP.
Quotes
"This investigation highlights the ability of our investigators to engage with partner agencies in the promotion of public safety. The laying of charges and seizure of firearms and prohibited devices in this case underscores the good work being done by our employees every day to help make the communities we serve safer" says Supt. Paul MacDougall, Northeast Nova District Policing Officer.
"This seizure and enforcement action are great examples of how we work together with our law enforcement partners to keep prohibited firearms and devices out of Canada and protect our communities," says Johanne Charest, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Atlantic Region.
File #: 2022-657685