2 sentenced in Lower Mainland gun purchasing investigation, anti-gang unit says
Two men charged in a 2020 "straw purchaser" investigation have been sentenced, according to B.C.'s anti-gang police unit.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia says 31-year-old Alex Lytle, of Port Coquitlam, has been sentenced to eight months in jail after pleading guilty to possession of firearms, prohibited devices and ammunition while prohibited.
Pitt Meadows resident Harjot Chahal, 26, was found guilty of transferring firearms without authority and received a conditional sentence of 21 months, according to a news release from the CFSEU-BC.
Both men were arrested in September 2020 as part of a CFSEU-BC investigation into a "straw purchaser" – someone who legally purchases firearms on behalf of someone else who does not possess a firearms licence.
The investigation began in "mid-2020," according to the CFSEU-BC. Investigators learned that two men had made a suspicious purchase at a firearms dealer in the Lower Mainland.
"One of the men, who did not have a valid license to purchase firearms and was prohibited from possessing firearms, appeared to be directing the other male to buy a firearm and ammunition," police said in their release.
"The purchaser had also bought several other firearms in the past year."
Investigators eventually executed a search warrant at a home and a storage locker, seizing "four long guns, various ammunition, high-capacity magazines and police-related equipment," the CFSEU-BC said.
The investigation also led to the seizure of three additional handguns and two long guns.
Chahal initially faced two charges resulting from the investigation, and Lytle faced five.
"Straw purchasing undermines the integrity of the legal sale and possession of firearms, putting them in the hands of individuals who intend to use them for a criminal purpose, jeopardizing the safety of our public," said Insp. Joel Hussey, investigations officer for the CFSEU-BC, in the release.
"The CFSEU-BC Crime Guns Intelligence and Investigations Group (CGIIG) works closely with our policing and government partners to aggressively pursue straw purchasers, holding them and the criminals they are linked to accountable."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.