OPP officials allege: A 24-year-old Hamilton man is facing 19 firearms-related charges following an international investigation into the alleged importation of firearms and prohibited devices from the United States into Canada.
Ontario Provincial Police say members of the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) in Niagara, working alongside U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, launched the intelligence-led probe in March 2025.
Police allege the individual was involved in bringing firearms, prohibited devices, and components for automatic weapons into Canada.
On April 16, the accused was arrested in Burlington by officers from the OPP, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Niagara Regional Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency. The arrest was assisted by the OPP’s Tactics and Rescue Unit, Highway Enforcement Team, and Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit.
The man is facing 19 charges under the Criminal Code, including multiple counts related to the unauthorized importation, possession, and trafficking of firearms, prohibited devices, and weapon components.
He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Milton on May 14.
The BEST program is a cross-border enforcement initiative led by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and includes members from the OPP, CBSA and other domestic and international agencies. It targets organized crime activity with ties to the international border.
