Border officers found 10 illegal handguns and 300 rounds of ammunition hidden inside a vehicle trying to re-enter Canada at a southern Alberta crossing.
Authorities announced the seizure Thursday, saying it was part of an ongoing investigation involving law agencies in Canada and the United States.
"It was a combination of a few things, between the intelligence that was available, plus the intuition of the officers involved," said Bill Axten, the Canada Border Services Agency's acting director for southern Alberta.
Agency officers found the contraband --which also included 11 high-capacity ammunition clips--when they searched a vehicle Saturday at the Coutts crossing, 80 kilometres southeast of Lethbridge.
"There were panels (inside the vehicle) that had to be removed," Axten said.
In the past five years, the agency has intercepted more than 400 firearms at Alberta border crossings.
The latest seizure isn't the largest during that time, but the firepower involved means "it ranks up there," Axten said.
The vehicle was driven by an Edmonton-area man now facing 45 charges, but investigators don't know where--or who --the weapons were destined for.
"At this point, it would only be speculation," said Axten.
The investigation initially involved the border agency and the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. The RCMP's customs and excise section and its national weapons enforcement team are now involved, as well.
"To get 10 handguns off the streets of Canada is an excellent seizure," said Sgt. Patrick Webb of the RCMP.
Adrian Le Mon Barnes, 30, has been charged with 45 counts, including possession of firearms for the purpose of trafficking and unauthorized importation of firearms.
Barnes's next scheduled court appearance is in provincial court in Lethbridge on Jan. 28.
Border Guards Find Guns & Ammo Coming Into Alberta
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