Canadian police arrest former MP Inky Mark after seizing 439 firearms, cash and an antique cannon during investigation.
Former Canadian Member of Parliament Inky Mark has been arrested after police seized 439 firearms, an antique cannon, ammunition and more than C$300,000 in cash from his home during a firearms trafficking investigation.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the weapons were recovered from Mark’s property near Dauphin, Manitoba, following a search conducted on 7 July as part of an investigation into the alleged trafficking of prohibited firearms.
Mark, 78, has been charged with firearms trafficking and multiple firearms-related offences, including possessing unauthorised devices and failing to safely store weapons.
“The illegal trafficking of prohibited weapons is a serious offence that threatens public safety,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner and Manitoba Commanding Officer Scott McMurchy said.
“We thank the many RCMP officers who are working on this case for their tireless efforts in targeting individuals who are trafficking these dangerous and illegal weapons and bringing them to justice.”
Police said the investigation began in March after they were informed of firearms charges filed in the United States against another man from the Dauphin area. The inquiry subsequently led investigators to firearms allegedly purchased by Mark that authorities said were never lawfully transferred.
Investigators said at least three of the seized firearms are believed to have been illegally trafficked, while one weapon had its serial number tampered with. Officers also recovered more than C$300,000 in cash from the property.
While authorities have not established a motive, Manitoba RCMP Corporal Barry Kirby said investigators believe Mark was a firearms collector. “We know he’s a firearm collector, but that’s really all that we know.”
Mark appeared in court last week on a dozen charges before being released on conditions pending further legal proceedings.
The former politician served as mayor of Dauphin after being elected in 1994 before entering federal politics. He represented the constituency now known as Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa in Canada’s House of Commons from 1997 until 2010.
During his political career, Mark was a member of the Reform Party of Canada, the Canadian Alliance and later the Conservative Party. He also unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate in 2015.