‘Scourge of the city’: 7 arrested for producing and trafficking 3D-printed guns in Winnipeg
A 25-year-old man was directing the production and trafficking of 3D-printed guns as part of a criminal network while behind bars in Manitoba’s Stony Mountain Institution, police say.
Blake Ellison-Crate, who was sentenced last year to serve 12 years for gun-related crimes, used a cell phone smuggled into the federal prison to ship firearm components from across Canada to addresses in Winnipeg, said Insp. Elton Hall of the Winnipeg Police Service’s organized crime division.
Ellison-Crate also used correctional facility phones, which are recorded. During those conversations and others intercepted by investigators, “individuals were literally schooling one another in the manufacturing of 3D-printed firearms,” Hall said Tuesday, adding “many of these conversations occurred for hours at a time.”
Ellison-Crate also directed people to buy 3D printers and move them to various locations in Winnipeg to prevent police detection, according to Hall.
“I think he’s got a fascination with firearms. I think the fact that he’s in jail right now is a benefit to society. I think he’s potentially a very dangerous individual,” said Hall.
“The fact that he’s in jail doing it again speaks volumes about his character and probably his mental state.”
Ellison-Crate’s involvement in the latest gun bust landed him an additional 10 years on his sentence, which was already the longest one in Canada for firearm trafficking and manufacturing, Hall said.
“Although it hasn’t deterred him, I know it’s deterring people on the street because the first thing they’re saying when they get in here, before we even read their charge and caution, is, ‘I’m not involved in a firearms printing or the manufacturing part of it,'” he said.
“They want nothing to do with that because of the sentence [given to Ellison-Crate].”
Aside from Ellison-Crate, six other people from the Winnipeg area were arrested and are facing charges for their roles within the network, which police began an investigating in November 2023.
It started after they were notified by several metal fabricators in the city who were approached by people asking them to create components for Glock-style 3D handguns.
Surveillance video from one of the businesses was used to help identify an individual who turned out to be an associate of Ellison-Crate, Hall said.
Winnipeg police, along with the RCMP’s National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, the Canada Border Services Agency, Correctional Service Canada, and Manitoba Corrections, identified the rest of the people in the operation.
On March 20, 2024, search warrants were executed at four residences in Winnipeg — on Dumoulin Street, Parkview Street, Prevette Street, and Setter Street.
Two women, aged 25 and 45, face charges for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, while the older one also faces charges of weapons trafficking and manufacturing.
In addition to Ellison-Crate, four other men were arrested — a 25-year-old (weapons trafficking and other firearms-related offences), 26-year-old (conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, weapons trafficking, and other firearms-related offences), 46-year-old (conspiracy to traffic in firearms), and a 23-year-old (conspiracy to commit an indictable offence) who was already in custody at the Headingley Correctional Institution.
Police also seized the following items during the investigation:
- A 3D-printed Glock-style handgun.
- 9 mm ammunition.
- 3D printer, filament and SD cards storing prohibited computer data.
- Tools to manufacture handguns.
- 3 rifles.
- 2 knives.
- Assault rifle ammunition.
- Computers.
- Cell phones.
Winnipeg 1 of 3 key illegal gun hubs in North America, police say
Only one 3D gun was seized, leaving investigators fearing that 30 to 40 may have been manufactured and trafficked into Winnipeg and the surrounding area, Hall said.
“Right now there’s really no red flags in relation to these guns that are on the street. But August and September are generally my busiest month, so we’ll see what happens during the third quarter — if gun stats and gun violence goes up in the city,” he said.
Hall said Winnipeg, Chicago and Atlanta have developed as the three key hubs in North America for the funnelling and distribution of illegal guns and drugs.
“The old days of drugs going up the west coast and going across Canada [and] money coming back are long over with. It’s totally changed. The dynamics changed,” Hall said.
“This is the the headache we have right now, are the 3D-printed guns for sure. The situation’s absolutely horrific. It’s alarming. I mean, these people are the scourge of the city right now, in my opinion.”
The only reason this latest network hit the police radar “is because good people in the community came forward — not one, but multiple at businesses saying, ‘look, I think something’s not right,'” Hall added.
“I want to publicly thank the businesses who did come forward to report this suspicious activity. Your actions foiled the continuation of criminality and likely prevented a dreadful outcome.”
Anyone with information regarding illicit manufacturing, trafficking or possession of 3D-printed guns is asked to call the Winnipeg police Firearms Investigation and Enforcement Unit at 204-986-3258.
Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 or online.
View original article here Source
grace & stella Under Eye Masks With Retinol - Revitalizing Under Eye Patches for the Appearance of Wrinkles and…
$14.95 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
TYLENOL Extra Strength Cold eZ Tabs, Relieves Cold symptoms, Daytime, 40ct
$17.11 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Botanic Hearth Rosemary Hair Oil with Biotin for Hair Care, Strengthening, Nourishing, and Volumizing Formula with…
$20.99 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Bedsure Satin Pillow Cases 2 Pack Queen - Grey Satin Pillowcase for Hair and Skin - Similar to Silk Pillow Cases…
$10.99 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag for Women Men, 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L Roll Top Lightweight Dry Storage Bag…
$20.59 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Maydear Face Painting Kit for Kids with 12 Colors Safe and Non-Toxic Large Water Based Face Paint (Matte)
$13.39 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Sunzel 10" / 8" / 5" / 3" Biker Shorts for Women with Pockets, High Waisted Yoga Workout Shorts
$20.99 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw for Sports and Travel, BPA-Free, 24oz,…
$35.15 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
NATPAT Buzz Patch Stickers for Kids (60 Pack) - The Natural Patch - For Toddlers, Babies, Kids
$18.88 (as of July 26, 2024 14:11 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)