Prosecutions and Seizures

Atlantic Region

St. John’s resident pleads guilty to illegally importing and selling stun guns

St. John’s, Newfoundland, June 27, 2007 -- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Officers announced today that its Criminal Investigations Unit have located and retrieved 39 stun guns that were being sold online. The investigation was a joint initiative with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC).

Stun guns are considered a prohibited weapon in Canada. Canada Border Services Agency officers are Canada’s first line of defence in protecting Canada from illegal activity.

“Thanks to the excellent work of the CBSA and the RNC, these prohibited weapons will not reach Canada’s streets,” said Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "We are committed to keeping our communities safe, and to preventing illegal weapons from falling into the wrong hands.”

On January 31, 2006, in cooperation with RNC officers, CBSA investigators searched the home of a St. John’s resident. Officers found a computer containing two hard drives. Computer analysis confirmed that the individual was importing stun guns into Canada, then selling them online and delivering them to various locations across Canada. Over the past year CBSA has located, confiscated or destroyed 39 of the stun guns that were sold.

The accused appeared in Provincial Court on June 15, 2007 where he pleaded guilty to 16 counts under the Customs Act and 16 counts under the Criminal Code. He is to appear in court for sentencing on October 16, 2007.

For more information concerning importing prohibited weapons into Canada, visit the CBSA Web site.

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For media information

CBSA Media Enquiries - Atlantic Region

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Constable Paul Davis
Media Relations
(709) 729-8658