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Charges Now Laid Against a Man for alleged Firearms Manufacturing

Criminal charges have now been laid against a man after investigators from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) conducted investigation into alleged firearms manufacturing.

In November 2020, information was received that led the CFSEU-BC’s Illegal Firearms Enforcement Team (IFET) to begin an investigation into the alleged manufacturing of privately made firearms.

The investigation progressed and on May 28, 2021 CFSEU-BC IFET investigators arrested two men and a woman and executed search warrants at the following locations:

• A residence in the 5100 block of 248th Street, Aldergrove
• A residence and a vehicle in the 30900 block of Westridge Place, Abbotsford
• A residence in the 26500 block of 32A Avenue, Aldergrove
• A residence in the 32400 block of Simon Avenue, Abbotsford

Inside the Westridge Place residence were products and items associated to the manufacturing of controlled substances and a firearm manufacturing lab using 3D printer technology.

Other items seized from the residences included:

• 1.7 kg of methamphetamine
• 300 g of fentanyl
• 2 x 3D printers
• 3D printed pistol frames
• Glock firearm parts

On May 23, 2023 Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) charged the following individual with
firearms and drug-related offences;

Tyson Saverio Santolla, a 33-year-old male from Aldergrove, has been charged with:

• 1 count – Firearms manufacturing – S. 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• 5 counts – Possession for the purpose of trafficking – S. 5(2) of the Controlled Drug and
Substance Act (CDSA)
• 1 count – Possession of a restricted firearm without a licence – S. 92(1) CCC

Santolla has been arrested and released on court-imposed conditions pending the judicial process.

“The collaborative work by CFSEU-BC and partner agencies is key when developing strategies to remove illegal firearms, such as privately manufactured firearms, off the streets and out of the hands of those who would use them in acts of gun violence,” says Inspector Joel Hussey, Operations Officer for CFSEU- BC. “Illegal firearms, regardless of whether they are mass manufactured or made in someone’s home, are a major focus for police 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.”