American charged with smuggling guns into B.C.

Guns were concealed in a shoe and a backpack.

VANCOUVER – Suspicious Canadian border officials have thwarted an attempt by an American couple to smuggle guns into B.C.

Two easily concealed weapons were found by border officials at the Douglas crossing when suspicious officers sent the couple in for secondary examination, said border services agency spokeswoman Faith St. John.

“During the vehicle examination, border services officers found weapons and ammunition hidden in the trunk of the vehicle,” she said.

One gun was a .22 calibre  North American Arms mini-revolver which was concealed inside a shoe along with five loose cartridges.

A second gun was a Springfield Armour make XD-9 pistol which was concealed at the bottom of a backpack below some clothing. The gun was loaded with a 10-round magazine, said St. John.

She said the male was arrested while the woman was immediately returned to the United States.

The man was charged with customs act offences as well as criminal code offences and will make his next appearance in court on Nov. 18.

Authorities say most guns used in gang warfare in Canada are imported from the United States.

Since the weapons were so thoroughly concealed, it is apparent that the Americans were aware they were not allowed to bring guns into Canada.

In 2008, 191 firearms were seized before they could enter the country from the United States, said St. John.

Copyright 2009, Vancouverite News Service. Use this article on your blog or website for just $5. News organizations pay $25. To reproduce or distribute, click: http://vancouverite.icopyright.com

No related articles.

Posted by News Editor on Oct 21 2009. Filed under B.C., Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry