Former Canadian MP held after police uncover arsenal of 439 guns and antique cannon

Former Canadian MP Inky Mark has been arrested and charged with firearms trafficking after police seized 439 firearms, an antique cannon, ammunition and more than C$300,000 in cash from his home near Dauphin in Manitoba.

The 78-year-old former federal lawmaker was taken into custody during a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) search on 7 July as part of a firearms trafficking investigation. Authorities allege that at least three of the seized guns had been illegally trafficked and one firearm had its serial number tampered with.Mark, who appeared in court last week on a dozen charges, has since been released from custody under conditions.

He faces multiple firearms-related offences, including firearms trafficking, possession of unauthorised devices and unsafe storage of firearms.The RCMP announced the details of the seizure on Monday, describing the case as a significant firearms trafficking investigation."The illegal trafficking of prohibited weapons is a serious offence that threatens public safety," RCMP Assistant Commissioner and Manitoba Commanding Officer Scott McMurchy said on Monday.

"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."According to investigators, the case began in March after Canadian police were informed that another 73-year-old man from the Dauphin area had been charged with firearms offences in the United States. The investigation subsequently led officers to firearms allegedly purchased by Mark that police said "were never lawfully transferred".Search warrants executed at Mark's property last week resulted in the seizure of 439 firearms, an antique cannon, ammunition and more than C$300,000 in cash. Police said at least three firearms are believed to have been illegally trafficked, while one weapon had its serial number altered.Investigators have not disclosed a motive behind the alleged offences. However, Manitoba RCMP Cpl Barry Kirby suggested that Mark was known to be a firearms enthusiast."We know he's a firearm collector, but that's really all that we know," Kirby said during a news conference on Monday.The case has drawn attention in Manitoba, where recreational shooting has a long-standing cultural following despite Canada's strict federal firearms laws. While the provincial government has opposed additional gun control measures introduced at the federal level, existing firearms regulations remain in force.Mark 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, serving under the Reform Party, the Canadian Alliance and later the Conservative Party. He resigned from Parliament in 2010 and unsuccessfully contested the seat as an independent in 2015. The investigation remains ongoing.