CBSA investigation leads to jail time for importing and owning prohibited weapons 

October 6, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario       

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to keeping prohibited weapons out of our communities and ensuring that those who break our laws are held accountable. Following a CBSA investigation and arrest, an Ottawa area man has been sentenced to jail time for importing and owning prohibited weapons.

In March 2022, border services officers at the Vancouver International Mail Centre intercepted a package containing a prohibited item known as a Taser destined for an address in Ottawa. This interception prompted an investigation by the CBSA Northern Ontario Region Intelligence and Enforcement Operations Division.

On April 14, 2022 the CBSA executed a search warrant at an address in Ottawa, Ontario. The search resulted in the seizure of six prohibited weapons, as well as five additional weapons.

Lachlan MacGregor of Ottawa was arrested and charged by the CBSA with the following:

• s. 159(1) Customs Act – two counts of smuggling
• s. 155 Customs Act – three counts of possession of unlawfully imported goods
• s. 104(1)(a) Criminal Code – two counts of unauthorized importation of a prohibited weapon
• s. 117.01(1) Criminal Code – five counts of possessing a weapon contrary to a prohibition order
• s. 91(2) Criminal Code – two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon
• s. 88 Criminal Code – one count of possessing a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence

On August 29, 2022, MacGregor appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa and entered a guilty plea to the charges of unauthorized importation of prohibited weapons and possession of prohibited weapons.

He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment followed by three years of probation.