Firearms Seized – Investigation Continues

A 36yr old man and a woman age 35 were arrested the evening of May 4th, and their child turned over to relatives as a result of an on going firearms investigation by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – Gang Task Force.

Just before 8:30pm investigators, assisted by the RCMP Emergency Response Team, searched a residence in the 800 block of Alderson Ave, Coquitlam. The home, which is located in close proximity to an elementary school, is a single dwelling consisting of three suites. The man and woman arrested were the occupants of one of those suites and were taken into custody without incident.

During the search of the suite investigators seized four handguns, one semiautomatic Uzi, one semiautomatic Cobray pistol, one semiautomatic rifle, a pump action shotgun, a quantity of ammunition, a silencer and a number of high capacity magazines. “With this investigation it brings the total number of firearms seized by the Gang Task Force to 137 so far this year. This is the second significant seizure of firearms within the metro Vancouver area in recent weeks. Clearly this proliferation of firearms must serve as a reminder to the policing community. We are in no position to let our guard down. We must continue to vigorously investigate these types of incidents, before they impact public safety” said Supt Tom McCluskie head of the Gang Task Force. “Without question we (CFSEU) will aggressively pursue those who unlawfully possess and/or traffic firearms.”

“This was a significant investigation whereby a carefully planned and executed operation was conducted to minimize any potential risk to the public and neighbourhood. With that, the team was able to recover a number of high end firearms that could have potentially ended up on our streets, in the hands of criminals motivated to use them” commented Inspector John Grywinski, head of the Firearms Enforcement Team.

In Partnership with Abbotsford Police Department, Central Saanich Police Service, Delta Police Department, New Westminster Police Service, Oak Bay Police Department, Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, Port Moody Police Department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Saanich Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, Victoria Police Department, West Vancouver Police Department.

While the couple has no readily identifiable link to any one particular group, investigators believe that these weapons would have inevitably ended up in the hands of gangs or organized crime.

The pair was released the morning of May 5th, pending further investigation.

Spokesperson:

Sgt Shinder Kirk
(604) 507-2054 desk
(604) 307-0857 cell