City of Winnipeg

07/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/23/2024 09:36

Project Gauge – Firearms Trafficking: C23-284409

Released: July 23, 2024 at 10:29 a.m.

In November 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service's Firearms Investigation and Enforcement Unit (FIEU) began investigating the manufacturing and trafficking of 3D-printed firearms.

A crime network approached several local metal fabricators to create components to manufacture Glock-style 3D handguns. Concerns regarding these custom orders were reported to the Winnipeg Police Service.

FIEU, with the assistance of the RCMP-NWEST, the Canada Border Services Agency, Correctional Service Canada and Manitoba Corrections, identified several individuals involved in this criminal operation.

Investigators determined that a 25-year-old male, Blake ELLISON-CRATE, who was in custody and already sentenced, was providing direction regarding the manufacturing and trafficking of 3D-printed guns to the criminal element.

On March 20, 2024, search warrants were executed at four residences in Winnipeg and several individuals were taken into custody.

  • 200 block of Dumoulin Street
  • 300 block of Parkview Street
  • 100 block of Prevette Street
  • 600 block of Setter Street
  1. A 25-year-old female, Danielle DELEAU (200 block of Dumoulin Street) was charged with:
  • Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
  1. A 25-year-old male, Kinew DANIELS (300 block of Parkview Street) was charged with:
  • Weapons Trafficking
  • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x 3
  • Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon x 2

He was detained in custody.

  1. A 26-year-old male, Michael RIVERS (600 block of Setter Street) was charged with:
  • Weapons Trafficking x 2
  • Unauthorized Poss of a Firearm
  • Poss of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
  • Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3

He was detained in custody.

  1. On April 19, 2024, FIEU attended Stony Mountain Institution and arrested ELLISON-CRATE on the strength of a warrant for the following offences:
  • Weapons Trafficking/Manufacturing
  • Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
  1. On May 8, 2024, FIEU arrested a 45-year-old female, Twyla ELLISON. She was charged with:
  • Weapons Trafficking/Manufacturing
  • Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
  1. On May 14, 2024, FIEU attended Headingley Correctional Institution and arrested a 23-year-old male, Ashlen PARRIS, on the strength of a warrant for the following offences:
  • Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
  1. On June 5, 2024, a 46-year-old male was arrested and is facing charges for:
  • Conspiracy to Traffick Firearms

He was released on an Undertaking.

As a result of this investigation, the following items were seized:

  • 3D-printed Glock-style handgun
  • 9mm ammunition
  • 3D printer, filament and SD cards storing prohibited computer data
  • Tools to manufacture handgun
  • Three non-restricted rifles
  • Two prohibited knives
  • SKS ammunition
  • Computers
  • Cell phones

Although only one 3D gun was seized, police believe there are between twelve and twenty of these manufactured 3D handguns currently circulating within the criminal element.

3D-printed guns are illegal to manufacture and sell. As with all firearms, they are considered dangerous and potentially lethal.

Anyone with information regarding illicit manufacturing, trafficking or Possession of 3D-printed guns can call FIEU at 204-986-3258 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-TIPS or winnipegcrimestoppers.org

You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.
Was this information helpful?
Yes
No

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

Your feedback
This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk's Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.
Leave this field blank