CBSA investigation leads to firearm and forgery-related charges for a resident of Markham, Ontario
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.
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