B.C. man charged in 'ghost gun' manufacturing investigation

British Columbia's anti-gang enforcement unit says it has secured criminal charges against a man who is wanted in connection with the manufacture of so-called "ghost guns."

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. opened an investigation in December 2021 into the illegal manufacture of firearms in the Thompson-Okanagan region.

On Oct. 10, 2023, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved multiple charges against 31-year-old Heffley Creek resident Adrian Picketts-Yoxall. (CFSEU-BC)

Police executed a search warrant the following month at a home in Heffley Creek, north of Kamloops, where investigators allegedly seized 3D-printed gun parts, a 3D printer, body armour, a tactical shotgun, and various magazines and ammunition.

On Tuesday, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved multiple charges against 31-year-old Heffley Creek resident Adrian Picketts-Yoxall, the CFSEU-BC said in a news release.

The agency said Picketts-Yoxall faces two counts of firearms manufacturing and one count each of possession of a prohibited weapon, unsafe storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.

Picketts-Yoxall remains at large, and anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers.

Police executed a search warrant at a home north of Kamloops in January 2022. Investigators allegedly seized 3D-printed gun parts, a 3D printer, body armour, a tactical shotgun, and various magazines and ammunition. (CFSEU-BC)

CFSEU-BC spokesperson Sgt. Brenda Winpenny says ghost guns, which are created without serial numbers, making them difficult to trace, are a "major focus" for police in B.C. and across Canada.

"CFSEU-BC is working closely with its partners across the province to investigate and disrupt the people and groups who may seek to illegally make and sell firearms," she added.