On November 4, 2013, just after 10:30am, Portage RCMP Detachment, along with the RCMP Technical Crime Unit and the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, executed a search warrant on a business in Portage la Prairie. The National Weapons Enforcement Support Team is made up of RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service officers.
RCMP report that three adult males employed at the business were arrested. Two of the men have charges pending of two counts each of unauthorized transfer of a firearm and unauthorized transfer of ammunition. These charges are in relation to the arrest of a 16-year-old male from Sandy Bay First Nation by Amaranth RCMP on October 24, 2013. The youth was in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Police investigation shows the youth purchased firearms at the Portage business. In Canada, an individual must be 18 to purchase a firearm and a valid firearm licence is required.
The youth is facing a number of charges and remains in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 26, 2013. The store owner and employee have been released on a Promise to Appear in Portage court on January 13, 2014.
