Latest news with #OFSET
Canada News.Net
6 days ago
- Canada News.Net
CBSA investigation leads to multiple firearm and drug possession charges in Southern Ontario
July 15, 2025 London, Ontario Canada Border Services Agency An investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET) has led to two arrests and the seizure of privately manufactured handguns, firearms parts, a 3D printer and narcotics, including carfentanil, a synthetic opioid one hundred times more potent than fentanyl. OFSET is comprised of criminal investigators, intelligence analysts and intelligence officers, dedicated solely to investigating firearms smuggling throughout Ontario. In October 2024, border services officers at the international mail and cargo processing facility in Mississauga, Ontario, intercepted a silencer being imported from China. Another parcel containing a 50-round drum magazine coming from the United States was also seized. Both packages were destined for the same address. As a result, CBSA's OFSET initiated an investigation into the importation of firearms parts into Canada. On May 29, 2025, following an extensive investigation, members of OFSET, with the assistance of the London Police Service's Emergency Response Unit, executed a search warrant at an address in London, Ontario. Several items were seized, including: privately manufactured firearms; firearm parts; a 3D printer; 35 g cocaine; 24.5 g carfentanil; and oxycodone and boric acid. Benito Schiavone, 33, and Modesto Dino Schiavone, 57, both residents of London, Ontario, have been charged with multiple firearm and drug possession charges under the Customs Act, the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Together they face: 4 counts of smuggling a Prohibited Device contrary to Section 159(1) of the Customs Act; 4 counts of unauthorized Importation of a Prohibited Device contrary to Section 104(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; 2 counts of manufacturing a Prohibited Firearm contrary to Section 99(1) of the Criminal Code; 8 counts of unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized contrary to Section 92(1) of the Criminal Code; 2 counts careless Storage of Firearms contrary to Section 86(1) of the Criminal Code; and, 2 counts of possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Modesto Dino Schiavone and Benito Schiavone are scheduled to appear in court later this month. The charges are subject to validation by the court.
Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- Cision Canada
CBSA investigation leads to multiple firearm and drug possession charges in Southern Ontario Français
LONDON, ON, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - An investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET) has led to two arrests and the seizure of privately manufactured handguns, firearms parts, a 3D printer and narcotics, including carfentanil, a synthetic opioid one hundred times more potent than fentanyl. OFSET is comprised of criminal investigators, intelligence analysts and intelligence officers, dedicated solely to investigating firearms smuggling throughout Ontario. In October 2024, border services officers at the international mail and cargo processing facility in Mississauga, Ontario intercepted a silencer being imported from China. Another parcel containing a 50 round drum magazine coming from the United States, was also seized. Both packages were destined to the same address. As a result, CBSA's OFSET initiated an investigation into the importation of firearms parts into Canada. On May 29, 2025, following an extensive investigation, members of OFSET, with the assistance of the London Police Service's Emergency Response Unit, executed a search warrant at an address in London, Ontario. Several items were seized, including: privately manufactured firearms; firearm parts; a 3D printer; 35 g cocaine; 24.5 g carfentanil; and oxycodone and boric acid. Benito Schiavone, 33, and Modesto Dino Schiavone, 57, both residents of London, Ontario, have been charged with multiple firearm and drug possession charges under the Customs Act, the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Together they face: 4 counts of smuggling a Prohibited Device contrary to Section 159(1) of the Customs Act; 4 counts of unauthorized Importation of a Prohibited Device contrary to Section 104(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; 2 counts of manufacturing a Prohibited Firearm contrary to Section 99(1) of the Criminal Code; 8 counts of unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized contrary to Section 92(1) of the Criminal Code; 2 counts careless Storage of Firearms contrary to Section 86(1) of the Criminal Code; and, 2 counts of possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Modesto Dino Schiavone and Benito Schiavone are scheduled to appear in court later this month. The charges are subject to validation by the court. Quotes "This investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency's OFSET demonstrates our commitment to upholding public safety and reinforces our vigilance in detecting and disrupting criminals who attempt to compromise the safety of our communities." -The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety "Those looking to circumvent Canadian laws governing firearms put the safety of others at risk. CBSA's Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team is a targeted approach to tackling cross-border crime related to firearms and illicit manufacturing. This successful investigation shows the importance of the work of OFSET. Thank you to the investigators and inland enforcement officers whose work is helping protect our communities." -Abeid Morgan, Director OFSET, Canada Border Services Agency Quick Facts Canada is investing $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border and strengthen the immigration system, all while keeping Canadians safe. Information on the Border Plan is available here: The Government of Canada's Border Plan: significant investments to strengthen border security and our immigration system. Any person who smuggles or attempts to smuggle prohibited devices, or who imports goods into Canada by making a false declaration, may be subject to legal proceedings. Smuggling or importing falsely declared goods for criminal purposes is considered an aggravating factor. CBSA Investigators have the ability to obtain search warrants and other judicial authorizations to search and seize evidence of criminal offences under the Customs Act and other border-related legislation. Since January 2024, possession and distribution of computer data that can be used with a 3D printer to manufacture or traffic weapons has been prohibited under subsections 102.1(1) and 102.1(2) of the Criminal Code. For the latest enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures. A list of restricted and prohibited goods, including firearms, can be found here. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, including firearms smuggling, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line toll-free at 1-888-502-9060, or visit us online.
Canada News.Net
27-06-2025
- Canada News.Net
CBSA investigation leads to firearm and forgery-related charges for a resident of Markham, Ontario
June 26, 2025 Mississauga, ON The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that an arrest was made for multiple firearm and forgery-related offences following an investigation led by the Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET). The OFSET is comprised of CBSA Investigators, Intelligence Analysts, and Intelligence Officers dedicated to investigating firearms smuggling throughout the province. In the Spring of 2025, Border Services Officers at the CBSA's International Mail Processing Centres in Montreal, Quebec and Mississauga, Ontario intercepted and seized a number of parcels imported from the United States, destined to an address in Markham, Ontario. The parcels contained a variety of firearms parts as well as personal identification documents and licenses, at least one of which appeared to be fraudulent. On June 17, 2025, CBSA Investigators arrested Wei Xu (42) of Markham, Ontario and charged him with Customs Act offences, which included smuggling and evading compliance, and the Criminal Code offence of using a forged document. A subsequent search of Xu's vehicle revealed other firearms and prohibited devices, including a SKS rifle, an over capacity cartridge magazine loaded with ammunition, other cartridge magazines, and a box of ammunition. CBSA Investigators later executed a search warrant at Xu's residence in Markham where an airsoft gun, additional prohibited firearms, and ammunition were discovered and seized-including a handgun and two fire control units. In total, Xu was charged with 10 offences contrary to the Customs Act and the Criminal Code: 1 count of evading compliance with the Customs Act, s. 153(c) Customs Act 1 count of smuggling, s. 159(1) Customs Act 2 counts of using a forged document, s. 368(1)(a) & 368(1)(b) Criminal Code 3 counts of possession of non-restricted, prohibited and restricted firearms knowing not a holder of a licence, s. 92(1) of the Criminal Code 1 count of possession of a prohibited device knowing not a holder of a licence, s. 92(2) of the Criminal Code 1 count of occupying a motor vehicle knowing a firearm was in vehicle, s. 94 Criminal Code 1 count of manufacturing a prohibited firearm, s. 99 Criminal Code These charges have not yet been tested in court.
Canada Standard
27-06-2025
- Canada Standard
CBSA investigation leads to firearm and forgery-related charges for a resident of Markham, Ontario
June 26, 2025 Mississauga, ON The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that an arrest was made for multiple firearm and forgery-related offences following an investigation led by the Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET). The OFSET is comprised of CBSA Investigators, Intelligence Analysts, and Intelligence Officers dedicated to investigating firearms smuggling throughout the province. In the Spring of 2025, Border Services Officers at the CBSA's International Mail Processing Centres in Montreal, Quebec and Mississauga, Ontario intercepted and seized a number of parcels imported from the United States, destined to an address in Markham, Ontario. The parcels contained a variety of firearms parts as well as personal identification documents and licenses, at least one of which appeared to be fraudulent. On June 17, 2025, CBSA Investigators arrested Wei Xu (42) of Markham, Ontario and charged him with Customs Act offences, which included smuggling and evading compliance, and the Criminal Code offence of using a forged document. A subsequent search of Xu's vehicle revealed other firearms and prohibited devices, including a SKS rifle, an over capacity cartridge magazine loaded with ammunition, other cartridge magazines, and a box of ammunition. CBSA Investigators later executed a search warrant at Xu's residence in Markham where an airsoft gun, additional prohibited firearms, and ammunition were discovered and seized-including a handgun and two fire control units. In total, Xu was charged with 10 offences contrary to the Customs Act and the Criminal Code: 1 count of evading compliance with the Customs Act, s. 153(c) Customs Act 1 count of smuggling, s. 159(1) Customs Act 2 counts of using a forged document, s. 368(1)(a) & 368(1)(b) Criminal Code 3 counts of possession of non-restricted, prohibited and restricted firearms knowing not a holder of a licence, s. 92(1) of the Criminal Code 1 count of possession of a prohibited device knowing not a holder of a licence, s. 92(2) of the Criminal Code 1 count of occupying a motor vehicle knowing a firearm was in vehicle, s. 94 Criminal Code 1 count of manufacturing a prohibited firearm, s. 99 Criminal Code These charges have not yet been tested in court.
