CBSA seizure of ghost gun leads to prison time

May 3, 2024    Surrey, British Columbia    Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to keeping Canadians safe and ensuring individuals who attempt to smuggle illegal firearms and narcotics across the border are held accountable.

Following a CBSA investigation, Jerry Armas, a U.S. Citizen from California, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for possessing and attempting to smuggle a loaded, prohibited handgun into Canada.

Armas appeared before the court in Surrey, BC on March 21, 2024, and pleaded guilty to two offences with the following sentences:

• Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code: 25 months for possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
• Section 159(1) of the Customs Act: 2 months for smuggling a firearm

In addition to the prison sentence, Armas also received a lifetime firearms prohibition.

In March 2023, Armas attempted to enter Canada through the Douglas port of entry with no declaration. Upon a vehicle examination, border services officers found 18.1 grams of cocaine and a privately-made, un-serialized 9mm ghost gun, along with 118 rounds of ammunition. CBSA investigators subsequently charged Armas for offences under the Customs Act and Criminal Code.