Law enforcement officials announced on Wednesday that 45 people have been arrested and 440 weapons have been seized in coordinated raids across eight provinces in Canada. The operation, called Reproduction, targeted manufacturers of 3D-printed or “ghost” guns, which have been increasingly found at crime scenes.
The raids, led by the Quebec provincial police and involving multiple other forces including the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police, resulted in the arrest of individuals and the confiscation of weapons. The Quebec provincial police unit, known as L’Équipe intégrée de lutte au trafic d’armes, which was established in 2021 to combat gun crime, played a significant role in coordinating the operation.
The growing concern in Canada is the prevalence of untraceable “ghost guns,” which are either 3D-printed without serial numbers or assembled from various sources. OPP chief superintendent Paul McKay expressed concern that these firearms are not intended for lawful purposes and are specifically designed for criminal activities.
During the operation, 64 search warrants were executed across several provinces, resulting in the seizure of 440 guns, including 3D-printed handguns, long guns, and silencers, as well as other firearms and 3D printers. Chief Insp. Benoit Dubé of the Quebec provincial police stated that ghost guns account for up to 25 percent of weapons seized during police operations this year. Some of those arrested are believed to have connections to organized crime networks.
The investigation began with a probe by the Canada Border Services Agency, triggered by the importation of weapon rails used to mount accessories on guns. The agency identified an individual who was importing these rails for 3D-printed weapons from a U.S.-based exporter. The Quebec provincial police became involved in late 2022 when they discovered a Montreal resident sending gun parts across Canada that were procured from Asia.
Charges of production, possession, and distribution of firearms could be brought against the individuals arrested.