A former Manitoba politician is facing charges for illegal possession and trafficking of firearms after a significant seizure of weapons, including an antique cannon, from a residence in Dauphin.
The Manitoba RCMP revealed that they confiscated 439 firearms and $300,000 in cash from the home of Inky Mark, a former Member of Parliament who represented Dauphin for over a decade. Among the seized firearms, authorities assert that at least three were trafficked illegally and one had a tampered serial number. The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the extent of unlawful possession of these weapons.
Mark, aged 78, has been charged with various firearms-related offenses, such as firearms trafficking, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, possession of property obtained through crime, and unsafe storage of firearms. It is important to note that the allegations against him have yet to be proven in court.
RCMP Cpl. Barry Kirby mentioned that Mark’s motive for amassing such a large number of firearms remains unclear, although Mark is known to have been a firearms collector. While owning firearms is legal, issues arise when firearms are trafficked, stored unsafely, or possessed without authorization, crossing into criminal territory.
The property where the weapons were found was adorned with political signs, though the specific messages were not disclosed by the authorities. The investigation began following firearms charges against a 73-year-old man from the Dauphin area in the U.S., prompting further inquiries that led to additional charges.
Commanding Officer Scott McMurchy emphasized the grave consequences of illegal firearm trafficking, highlighting the dangers posed by unregistered and untraceable weapons in the hands of criminals. The RCMP’s priority is to safeguard public safety by removing illegal firearms from communities and preventing them from aiding criminal activities.