CBSA investigation leads to multiple drug and firearm related charges

October 2, 2024            Mississauga, ON            Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is dedicated to protecting Canadians by preventing illicit narcotics, prohibited firearms parts and prohibited weapons from entering our communities. 

The CBSA announced today that an arrest has been made for drug and firearms parts possession, smuggling, and unauthorized importation offences, as part of an investigation by the CBSA Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET). The OFSET is a group of CBSA criminal investigators, intelligence analysts, and intelligence officers dedicated to investigating firearms smuggling throughout the province. Collaboration between Canada and US officials also contributed to the success of the operation, exemplifying the commitment made under the Cross Border Crime Forum.

In May 2024, the CBSA OFSET began an investigation after border services officers stopped multiple attempts at smuggling prohibited firearms parts into Canada. On September 4, OFSET executed search warrants at two homes in Oshawa, Ontario, with the assistance of the Durham Regional Police Service’s Tactical Support Unit. 

Evidence seized by the CBSA OFSET includes equipment that formed a clandestine narcotics lab, such as pill and drug brick presses, baggies, weight scales, vacuum sealers, and baking soda. Also seized were several drugs including MDMA, cocaine, oxycodone, methamphetamine, traces of fentanyl, and various illicit drug additives. Additionally, OFSET found several overcapacity magazines, magazine catch and release devices, 10 round magazines, a suppressor, a firearm conversion kit, a weapon mounted flashlight, 46 rounds of ammunition, multiple cell phones, SIM cards, a computer, and over $23,800 CAD. 

Cameron Williams (24 years old) of Oshawa, Ontario, has been charged with 18 smuggling, possession, and importation offences: 

• Four counts of Smuggling Prohibited Device under Section 159(1) of the Customs Act pursuant to Section 160;
• Four counts of Unauthorized Importation Prohibited Device under Section 104(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; 
• Three counts of Smuggling Designated Device under Section 159(1) of the Customs Act pursuant to Section 160;
• Two counts of Possession Prohibited Device Knowing Unauthorized under Section 92(2) of the Criminal Code; 
• Two counts of Possession Prohibited Device Contrary to Prohibition order under Section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code; 
• One count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under Section 354(1) of the Criminal Code;
• One count of Possession Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act; and
• One count of Possession Designated Device under Section 7(1) of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

Proceedings are ongoing and Williams’ next scheduled court appearance is October 24, 2024.