Michael Vukmanovic of Keswick, Ontario was sentenced on March 15, 2024 to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to 16 charges of firearms manufacturing and possession.
The charges listed under the Criminal Code include four counts of firearms trafficking/manufacturing, one count of possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, five counts of possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, one count of possession of prohibited weapon, device or ammunition knowing its possession is unauthorized, and five counts of possession contrary to order.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began their investigation of Vukmanovic in January of 2022 when firearm parts were intercepted by Border Services Officers in Windsor, Ontario, in transit to his residence in Keswick.
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This interception led to the CBSA Criminal Investigations Section obtaining a search warrant for the Keswick residence in February of 2022.
Firearms (including 3D printed handguns, shotguns and semi-automatic rifles), ammunition, firearm parts and tools, a 3D printer used to manufacture firearms, fully loaded over-capacity magazines, and various weapons (including a crossbow with arrows, a machete, and a switchblade) were all found inside the house, with many different weapons placed inside each point of entry of the home.
More firearms and weapons discovered during the CBSA investigation. Photo courtesy CNW Group/Canada Border Services Agency.
Due to a joint effort between the Ontario Provincial Police – Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, Ontario Provincial Police – Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, York Regional Police, and Ottawa Police Service, officers were able to locate and arrest Vulmakovic in Ottawa and transfer him back to Toronto where he was placed in CBSA custody.
Since the CBSA charged him with several offences under the Criminal Code and Customs Act he has remained in custody since the arrest and his prison sentence began immediately.
“This sentencing sends a strong signal about the seriousness of firearms smuggling offences. I want to thank our Intelligence and Investigations teams as well as our front-line border officers for their relentless work to keep firearms and dangerous weapons out of our communities,” Lisa Janes, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Greater Toronto Area Region, said in a release.
Following the court’s assessment of his 11 year sentence, Vukmanovic will serve a total of seven years.
