OPP recover over 270 illegal guns in largest seizure in Ontario history

Ontario Provincial Police, working with Homeland Security in the United States, have recovered 274 illegal firearms in the province’s largest gun seizure in history.

The investigation was started in early 2023 in an effort to prevent firearms from being trafficking into the Greater Toronto Area from the US.

The OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) initiated Project Saxom while Project Dual Approach commenced in the US.

As a result, 168 illegal firearms were intercepted before they could be smuggled into Ontario and one dual citizen was arrested.

Police were also able to identify additional suspects belonging to five distinct criminal networks as the investigation progressed.

On Feb 13 and 14, the PWEU executed 17 search warrants at locations in the GTA and Niagara Region.

Officers discovered a total of 106 illegal firearms during these searches, some of which were loaded, along with Canadian and US cash, and illegal drugs.

Police say the total estimated street value of the drugs and firearms seized is $3.25 million.

The combined total of seized illegal firearms amounts to the largest seizure of handguns and assault-style rifles in the province’s history.

Project Saxom resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals in Ontario. This includes 36-year-old James Malcolm-Evans of Thorold.

Eric Robinson, 35, of St. Catharines remains outstanding.

OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique says illegal firearms pose a serious risk to public safety.

“They are often used by organized crime groups, including street gangs, to broaden and secure drug trafficking networks. They are also used in violent crimes including robberies, carjacking, intimidation, extortion and homicide,” Carrique said.

“By working collaboratively with US policing partners, the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit will continue to combat the smuggling and trafficking of illegal firearms within the Province of Ontario.”