A Plum Coulee man has been arrested a second time, and now charged in relation to a multi-agency investigation into the attempted 3D printing of a firearm.
The case began in September 2022 when Winkler and Morden Police Services, along with the Winnipeg Police Service Firearms Investigation and Enforcement Unit began an investigation which determined the man was attempting to manufacture 3D printed firearms in Winkler.
In November last year, the man, who was 27 years old at the time, along with a second adult suspect were taken into custody after a search warrant was executed in the 200 block of 8th Street South in Winkler. The search resulted in the seizure of ammunition, and items related to the illicit production of firearms including a 3D printer and 3D printer filament. Both suspects were later released without charges, pending further investigation.
An extensive investigation followed, and with the assistance of several RCMP units (National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, Digital Forensics Services, and Forensic Identification Services) police were able to determine the seized 3D printer had in fact been used in the attempted production of an illegal firearm.
On October 22nd, the Plum Coulee man was arrested again in relation to the initial incident, and this time charged with attempting to manufacture a firearm, in this case a handgun.
He was released on an undertaking, with a court date of January 9th, 2024 in Morden.
In a news release jointly issued by Winkler Morden Police Services it was stated, "This is another excellent example of multiple, specially trained units from a number of different police agencies working together in the interest of public safety."
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