A barely major Montrealer who would be part of a gang of young people who made and sold firearms made with 3D printers has been handcuffed, and the Crown intends to keep him detained for a long time.
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“The weapon takes 8 hours to produce. The ‘one shot’ model is small, but deadly,” a member of the youth gang reportedly told a double agent who had procured one of these firearms. This is what led to the arrest last week of Radwane Hamzi, 19, and his indictment.
Courtesy picture
Radwane Hamzi is accused of trafficking in homemade firearms.
This crackdown by the Integrated Trafficking Team is the result of almost six months of investigation, following information from the American Homeland Security Investigation that a Canadian was involved in the trafficking of 3D printed weapons.
By a minor
According to our information, this person was hiding under the pseudonym “Mrs Potato” and was selling his equipment through the Signal application for around a few hundred dollars each.
Quickly, a double agent made contact with this person. “Mrs Potato”, who turned out to be a 17-year-old, allegedly told him that he had been in the business of 3D-printed firearms for a few years, and that he worked with a “small team”.
Posing as a client, the double agent made a first purchase, in the Ottawa area.
It should be noted that the group of young people had traveled with a vehicle rented from Communauto to deliver the weapon in the Canadian capital, according to what it was possible to learn.
The investigation then moved to Montreal, where the group is said to have originated.
A second purchase was made, allowing us to learn more about the stock sold by the group of young people.
Usable weapons
Thus, the weapons available were .22 caliber in “one-shot” model, as well as a revolver version capable of firing 6 bullets.
Apart from a few parts, everything was made of plastic with a 3D printer, thanks to plans found on the internet.
And according to tests carried out by ballistics experts from the Laboratory of Forensic Sciences and Forensic Medicine, the five pistols seized were in firing condition, although they were fragile.
It was enough for the authorities to arrest the young people, including Hamzi, who has since been detained on 15 counts, including trafficking in homemade weapons.
“We are opposed to the release on bail”, has also indicated Me Véronique Warthold of the Crown, this Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse.
Hamzi’s case will return to court next week, so Mr.e Defense Louis Morena prepares the release inquiry.
– With Ian Gemme