Akwesasne man charged with 126 counts of gun smuggling

An Akwesasne man is facing 126 criminal charges after allegedly smuggling a cache of illegal firearms, magazines, and ammunition into Canada through the Mohawk territory. The arrest was made last week in Cornwall, Ontario, as a result of a joint forces investigation into gun trafficking from the United States.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) led the operation, which involved the Border Enforcement Security Task Force, OPP Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service. The arrest was made after a vehicle stop on May 22 in Cornwall, near the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne.

During the search, investigators discovered three suitcases containing 26 illegal handguns and two illegal assault-style rifles. Additionally, they seized 37 boxes of ammunition, 20 prohibited overcapacity magazines, 74 magazines, one Glock upper receiver, and a cellphone.

OPP Det.-Insp. Lee Fulford emphasized the serious risk that illegal firearms pose to public safety, as they are often used by organized crime groups to commit violent crimes such as robberies, carjackings, extortion, and homicides. Fulford stressed the importance of joint forces investigations to curb the flow of illegal firearms across borders and called for continued collaboration with U.S. policing partners.

The accused, Steven Johnson, 38, is facing a multitude of charges related to weapons trafficking, possession of firearms, and contravention of transportation regulations. Johnson remains in custody pending a court appearance in Cornwall.

Eric Lapierre, CBSA regional director general for Northern Ontario Region, highlighted the commitment to securing the border and keeping harmful goods out of Canada. Lapierre emphasized the importance of working with law enforcement partners to disrupt criminal activity and ensure community safety.

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is urged to contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. The seizure of these illegal firearms underscores the ongoing efforts to combat gun trafficking and protect public safety in Canada.