RCMP, OPS charge three Ottawa men involved in gun trafficking
Three men from Ottawa are facing charges in connection to a gun trafficking ring in the capital.
The investigation, led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with the assistance from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), began in September 2021, and identified illegal handguns being imported from the United States and sold on the streets of Ottawa. The firearms included, handguns and firearms with no serial numbers. These types of firearms are in high demand on the streets.
As a result of the investigation, three individuals have been arrested and are facing approximately 30 charges relating to the distribution, trafficking and possession of illegal firearms.
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James Kongkhaw (39) and David Lafontaine (44) of Ottawa and Justin McPolin (46) of Toronto have been jointly charged with the following criminal offences:
- Conspiring to traffic firearms
- Conspiracy to commit an offence
James Kongkhaw of Ottawa faces an additional 15 firearm related offences including multiple counts of the following:
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm
- Possession of a firearm while he was prohibited from doing so
- Possession of a firearm, for the purpose of transferring it
- Offering to transfer a firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number on it had been altered, defaced, or removed
David Lafontaine of Ottawa faces an additional five firearm related offenses, including multiple counts of the following:
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm while prohibited
- Possession of a firearm, for the purpose of transferring it
Justin McPolin of Toronto faces an additional five firearm related offences, including the following:
- Transportation of a handgun in contravention of a regulation made under paragraph 117 (h) of the Firearms Act, contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm, to wit a handgun, for the purpose of transferring it
- Possession of a firearm while prohibited
The accused are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 1 at 10:30am in the Ontario Court of Justice at 161 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario.
