As police and politicians vow a crackdown on the violence of recent days, a B.C. judge has just released a man accused of smuggling high-powered weapons into this province.
The owner of a Port Coquitlam gun shop, 41-year-old Shahriar Tavazoie, was arrested after customs officers intercepted a parcel allegedly addressed to him with dozens of gun magazines inside that are illegal in both Canada and the U.S.
His common-law wife, who is also his partner, has also been charged.
RCMP also seized a number of high-powered weapons.
Tavazoie set up Sureshot Tactical in Port Coquitlam two months ago.
"There's no legitimate reason why anyone would have that ammunition. It has single purpose and that's to penetrate armour. It's used by armies for that purpose," said RCMP Supt. Bill Ard.
"This ammunition is powerful enough to shoot thru this bulletproof vest, and any body armour available on the market today," said RCMP Cpl Peter Thiessen.
"The items found at his residence were supposed to be at his store, registered to his store. The ammunition you cannot legally acquire that you're not supposed to have in Canada... we have more questions than answers right now."
At a bail hearing on Wednesday, Tavazoie was released on $10,000 bail. The judge noted he had no criminal record and no apparent gang affiliations.
Police say the weapons could have easily ended up in the hands of gangsters, but they aren't sure at this point if the bust is a significant seizure or just the tip of the iceberg.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Jina You.
