Firearms charges have been laid against two men, one from Duncan, after two related 2013 investigations by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia.
Luke Gregory Massey, 33, of Duncan, was taken into custody by North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP officers at about 9 a.m. on Jan. 14 in the 4900 block of Cowichan Lake Road.
He faces two counts of trafficking firearms knowing he was not authorized to do so, one count of possession of firearms for the purpose of trafficking, one count of knowingly making a false statement about the theft of firearms and one count of public mischief, with intent to mislead, causing peace officers to enter an investigation by reporting a theft that had not been committed.
Also charged with 11 counts of firearms-related offences is Jason Donald Whyte, 43, of Surrey, who was arrested on Jan. 13.
The charges against him include possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a prohibited device while prohibited, possession of ammunition while prohibited, possession of firearms for the purpose of trafficking, possession of restricted firearms with readily accessible ammunition without being the holder of a licence, possession of a loaded restricted firearm without being the holder of a licence, possession of firearms knowing that he was not the holder of a licence, possession of a prohibited device (an oversized ammunition magazine) knowing he was not the holder of a licence and possession of firearms knowing that the serial numbers had been defaced.
The investigation into Whyte began in August of 2013 and the Special Enforcement Unit said that probe led them to Massey “who we believe is connected to Whyte in their similar and possibly even joint, criminal enterprises involving guns,†said Sergeant Lindsey Houghton, media relations officer for the unit. The investigation into Massey began in October of 2013.
Massey has been released, and Whyte remains in custody.