Stand-off suspect charged with prohibited weapons offence after search

By Medicine Hat News on May 30, 2020.

A man has been charged with possession of prohibited weapons following the execution of a criminal code search warrant at a residence on Ross Street on Thursday.

Medicine Hat Police Service recovered a firearm silencer, a conducted energy weapon, a set of nunchucks, a switchblade knife, pepper spray and throwing stars, along with $4,700 USD in counterfeit money from the residence following a standoff, according to a Friday release. During the standoff, the accused male allegedly physically assaulted an officer and was struck in the leg with a police impact projectile as a result.

The male – who cannot be identified at this time – remains in police custody and is awaiting a judicial interim release hearing on six charges of possession of a prohibited weapon or device, as well as charges of possession of counterfeit currency and assaulting and resisting a peace officer.

The release also details a month-long investigation between the Medicine Hat ALERT organized crime section and Canada Border Services Agency, relating to a local male suspected of importing prohibited weapons.

On May 7, CBSA officers at the Vancouver International Mail Centre intercepted a package – on its way from China to a residence in Medicine Hat – that contained a firearm silencer. The seizure was transferred to the CBSA’s criminal investigations section in Calgary, and then referred to MHPS for further investigation, which led them to the residence on Ross Street.

“The MHPS would like to thank the CBSA for their support with this investigation, which resulted in the removal of these dangerous weapons from our community,” reads the release.

The CBSA is continuing its investigation related to firearms smuggling.

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