Image Credt, CBSA
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has wrapped up a major investigation into the trafficking and illegal possession of ghost guns in British Columbia, highlighting the ongoing issue of unregulated, 3D-printed firearms.
On June 19, 2024, Brodie Alexander McDonald was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with several offenses, including weapons trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a prohibited device, and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition. The investigation by CBSA’s Pacific Region Criminal Investigations Section started in December 2022, following the interception of a suspicious shipment addressed to McDonald at the Vancouver International Mail Centre. This package contained firearm parts, and it was discovered that McDonald had previously received shipments of frame rails used in making 3D-printed guns.
On June 20, 2023, CBSA investigators, supported by the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, raided a residence in Langley, B.C. The search uncovered a loaded 3D-printed Glock 19 semiautomatic pistol, two 3D-printed lower receivers and completion kits for Polymer 80 firearms, a suppressor, and a 3D printer with filament. These items indicated the extent of McDonald’s involvement in producing unregulated firearms.
McDonald is scheduled to appear in court on July 9, 2024, to face these charges. The case underscores the challenges in firearms enforcement and the importance of vigilant border security.
CBSA’s Pacific Region Director General, Nina Patel, stated that the agency remains committed to intercepting parts used for making prohibited guns and to prosecuting those who break the law. From January 1 to October 31, 2023, the CBSA intercepted over 800 firearms and 21,900 prohibited weapons, preventing them from reaching the streets.
This investigation into McDonald’s activities highlights the broader issue of ghost guns, which are difficult to trace and increasingly common due to advances in 3D printing technology. The case illustrates the CBSA’s efforts to address the dangers posed by unregulated firearms.
About The Author
