'Scourge of the city': 7 arrested for producing and trafficking 3D-printed guns in Winnipeg
Crime network was being directed by man in prison for gun-related crimes, police say
A 25-year-old man was directing theproduction and trafficking of 3D-printed guns as part of a criminal network while behind bars in Manitoba'sStony Mountain Institution, police say.
Blake Ellison-Crate, whowas sentenced last year to serve 12 years for gun-related crimes, used a cell phone smuggled into the federal prison to ship firearm components from across Canada to addresses in Winnipeg,said Insp. Elton Hall of the Winnipeg Police Service's organized crime division.
Ellison-Crate also used correctional facility phones, which are recorded. During those conversations and others intercepted by investigators, "individuals were literally schooling one another in the manufacturing of 3D-printed firearms," Hall saidTuesday, adding "many of these conversations occurred for hours at a time."
Ellison-Crate also directed people to buy 3D printers and move them to various locations in Winnipeg to prevent police detection, according to Hall.
"I think he's got a fascination with firearms. I think the fact that he's in jail right now is a benefit to society. I think he's potentially a very dangerous individual," said Hall.
"The fact that he's in jail doing it again speaks volumes about his character andprobably his mental state."
Ellison-Crate's involvement in the latest gun bust landed him an additional 10 years on his sentence, which was already the longest one in Canada forfirearm trafficking and manufacturing, Hall said.
"Although it hasn't deterred him, I know it's deterring people on the street because the first thing they're saying when they get in here, before we even read their charge and caution, is, 'I'm not involved in a firearms printing or the manufacturing part of it,'" he said.
"They want nothing to do with that because of the sentence [given to Ellison-Crate]."
Aside from Ellison-Crate, six other people from the Winnipeg area were arrestedand are facing charges for their roles within the network, which police began an investigating in November 2023.
It started after they were notified by several metal fabricators in the city who were approached by people asking them to create components forGlock-style 3D handguns.
Surveillance video from one of the businesses was used to help identify anindividual whoturned out to be an associate ofEllison-Crate, Hall said.
WATCH | Winnipeg police Insp. Elton Hall on 3D-printed guns:
Winnipeg police, along with the RCMP'sNational Weapons Enforcement Support Team, the Canada Border Services Agency, Correctional Service Canada, and Manitoba Corrections, identified the rest of the people in the operation.
On March 20, 2024, search warrants were executed at four residences in Winnipeg onDumoulin Street,Parkview Street,Prevette Street, and Setter Street.
Two women, aged 25 and45, face charges forconspiracy to commit an indictable offence, while the older one also faces charges of weapons trafficking and manufacturing.
In addition toEllison-Crate, four other men werearrested a 25-year-old (weapons trafficking and other firearms-related offences),26-year-old (conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, weapons trafficking, and other firearms-related offences),46-year-old (conspiracy to trafficin firearms), and a23-year-old (conspiracy to commit an indictable offence) who was already in custody at theHeadingley Correctional Institution.
Police also seized the following items during the investigation:
- A 3D-printed Glock-style handgun.
- 9 mm ammunition.
- 3D printer, filament and SD cards storing prohibited computer data.
- Tools to manufacture handguns.
- 3 rifles.
- 2knives.
- Assault rifle ammunition.
- Computers.
- Cell phones.
Winnipeg 1 of 3 key illegal gun hubs in North America, police say
Only one 3D gun was seized, leavinginvestigators fearing that 30 to 40 may have been manufactured and trafficked into Winnipeg and the surrounding area, Hall said.
"Right now there's really no red flags in relation to these guns that are on the street. But August and September are generally my busiest month, so we'll see what happens during the third quarter if gun stats and gun violence goes up in the city," he said.
Hall saidWinnipeg, Chicago and Atlanta have developed as the three key hubs in North America for the funnelling and distribution of illegal guns anddrugs.
"The old days of drugs going up the west coast and going across Canada [and]money coming back are long over with. It's totally changed. The dynamics changed," Hall said.
"This is the the headache we have right now, arethe 3D-printed guns for sure.The situation's absolutely horrific. It's alarming. I mean, these people are the scourge of the city right now, in my opinion."
The only reason this latest network hit the police radar "isbecause good people in the community came forward not one, but multiple at businesses saying, 'look, I think something's not right,'" Hall added.
"I want to publicly thank the businesses who did come forward to report this suspicious activity. Your actions foiled the continuation of criminality and likely prevented a dreadful outcome."
Anyone with information regarding illicit manufacturing, trafficking or possession of 3D-printed guns is asked to call the Winnipeg police Firearms Investigation and Enforcement Unit at 204-986-3258.
Anonymous tips can also be left withCrime Stoppers at204-786-8477oronline.
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