NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE
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A 54-year-old Bradford man has been charged with trafficking firearm silencers following a joint investigation with South Simcoe Police Service (SSPS), the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
On Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, the South Simcoe Police Service was contacted by PWEU about a Bradford man attempting to obtain three suppressors for a firearm. SSPS officers learned that the CBSA had intercepted two suppressors, also known as silencers, to be delivered to a Bradford home and a second order was subsequently placed for another suppressor for delivery to a Bradford store. These three parcels were disguised and packaged as an automotive part from China.
The investigation led to a search warrant being executed on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 at a home in Bradford where a man was arrested and a number of items seized.
Fifty-four-year-old Andrei Ketov of Bradford was charged with the following:
• three counts - knowledge of unauthorized possession of prohibited device
• three counts - trafficking in firearm, weapon, device or ammunition
• three counts - possession of firearm, weapon, device or ammunition for the purpose of trafficking
• three counts - importing of firearm, weapon, device or ammunition knowing it is unauthorized
The Canada Border Services Agency attended the South Division and also charged the accused with Customs Act offences, including three counts of smuggling, contrary to section 159, and one count of possession of illegally imported goods, contrary to section 155.
He was released with a future court date.
South Simcoe Police Service Police wants to remind the public that silencers/suppressors are considered prohibited devices.
“We will continue to work with our provincial and federal partners to ensure we address matters that involve illegal firearms and prohibited devices entering our communities. These prohibited devices are not for a legal use and should not be brought into our communities in any manner." - Det. Sgt. Kai Johnson, SSPS Criminal Investigation Bureau.
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