CBSA charges Yarmouth, NS man with smuggling and firearm-related offences
CBSA charges Yarmouth NS man with smuggling and firearm-related offences
The Canada Border Services Agency laid 16 charges against Ian Pierre Surette, 25, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, after CBSA officers at the International Mail Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario intercepted a prohibited firearm suppressor destined for his residence. The charges, laid July 23, 2026 by the CBSA's Criminal Investigations Section, include one count of smuggling under Customs Act S. 159(1) and Criminal Code counts including importation of a prohibited device under S. 103(1)(a) and S. 104(1)(a). Surette is scheduled to appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on October 26, 2026.
October 15, 2026
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid 16 charges against a Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (NS) resident following an investigation led by the CBSA’s Criminal Investigations Section in Halifax, NS.
CBSA officers at the International Mail Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario intercepted a prohibited firearm suppressor destined for the Yarmouth, NS residence of Ian Pierre Surette, 25. The seizure was referred to the CBSA’s Criminal Investigations Section in Halifax for further investigation.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Surette’s residence on February 25, 2026, with assistance from CBSA intelligence officers, border services officers and the Yarmouth Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) General Investigation Section.
During the search of the residence, officers located and seized multiple unsecured firearms, as well as a homemade suppressor and many rounds of ammunition. Surette was arrested for smuggling and released with conditions to not possess firearms, prohibited weapons or ammunition.
In total, CBSA officers seized:
- thirteen long guns;
- four shotguns;
- two hand guns;
- three Possession and Acquisition License cards;
- one cellphone;
- firearm ammunition;
- seventeen firearms magazines;
- one prohibited knife;
- one homemade firearm suppressor; and
- two firearm barrels.
The RCMP’s National Weapons Enforcement Support Team provided expert analysis on the firearms and devices that were seized.
On July 23, 2026, the CBSA Criminal Investigations Section laid the following charges against Surette under the Customs Act and Criminal Code:
- Customs Act – S. 159(1) – Smuggling (one count)
- Criminal Code – S. 86(1) – Careless Use – Firearm (three counts)
- Criminal Code – S. 86(2) – Unsafe Storage – Firearm (three counts)
- Criminal Code – S. 91(1) – Possession Prohibited Firearm (two counts)
- Criminal Code – S. 91(2) – Possession Prohibited Device (one count)
- Criminal Code – S. 92(1) – Possession Prohibited Firearm While Knowing (two counts)
- Criminal Code – S. 92(2) – Possession Prohibited Device While Knowing (one count)
- Criminal Code – S. 95(1) – Possession Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (one count)
- Criminal Code – S. 103(1)(a) – Importation Prohibited Device (one count)
- Criminal Code – S. 104(1)(a) – Importation Prohibited Device while Knowing (one count)
Surette is scheduled to appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on October 26, 2026.
Source: CBSA · News (Canada.ca) · canada.ca