Cornwall, Ontario
On March 3, 2026, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers in Cornwall, Ontario laid charges against an individual after seizing three prohibited assault-style firearms from their vehicle.
Warren Oakes, 21, a resident of Akwesasne, has been charged with:
- Smuggling prohibited firearms into Canada, contrary to s.159(1) of the Customs Act
- Smuggling prohibited devices into Canada, contrary to s.159(1) of the Customs Act
- Uttering false statements, contrary to s.153(a) of the Customs Act
- Evading compliance, contrary to s.153(c) of the Customs Act
- Hindering an officer, contrary to s.153.1(b) of the Customs Act
- 2 counts of possession of unlawfully imported items, contrary to s.155 of the Customs Act
- Unlawful importation of prohibited firearms, contrary to s.104(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Unlawful importation of prohibited devices, contrary to s.104(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of prohibited firearms without licence, contrary to s.92(1) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of prohibited devices without licence, contrary to s.92(2) of the Criminal Code
On March 3, Oakes sought entry to Canada via the Cornwall port of entry, but fled into Cornwall when CBSA officers referred his vehicle for secondary examination. CBSA contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service for help in locating the vehicle.
The RCMP apprehended Oakes during a traffic stop. The vehicle was returned to the port of entry, where CBSA officers seized three assault-style firearms, three prohibited magazines and the vehicle itself. Oakes was transferred to CBSA custody to face charges.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be laid. The charges have not yet been tested or proven in court.
