CBSA investigation leads to firearm seizures and conspiracy charges in Essex County, Ontario

WINDSOR, ON, Sept. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has arrested an individual from the community of Cottam, Ontario and charged him with multiple firearm-related offences following an investigation led by the CBSA's Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET).

Firearms and accessories seized by the CBSA's OFSET.

OFSET began investigating the subject following a previous firearm investigation by the CBSA that led to charges against another individual from nearby Windsor in September 2025. The subsequent investigation indicated that 60 year old Frank Charette conspired to smuggle firearm parts into Canada from the United States with the goal of manufacturing prohibited weapons. In May 2026, he was intercepted by border services officers at the Ambassador Bridge with unregulated firearm parts from the United States.

In collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and the Ontario Provincial Police's Emergency Response Team, OFSET executed multiple search warrants in Essex County on July 15, 2026, resulting in the seizure of 53 firearms. This seizure included the following prohibited/restricted items:

• six unlawfully possessed handguns;
• two unregistered sub-machine guns;
• 116 cartridge magazines, 39 of which were over capacity; and
• one auto-sear (a device intended to convert a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic firearm).

Charette was arrested and charged by the CBSA with:

• One count of Smuggling Controlled Goods, s.159(1)/160 Customs Act
• One count of Import Goods Without a Permit, s.14/19 Export and Import Permits Act
• One count of Manufacture a  Prohibited Firearm, s.99(1) Criminal Code
• One count of Conspiracy to Manufacture a Firearm, s.465(1)(c)/99(1) Criminal Code
• One count of Knowingly Possess a Prohibited Device, s. 92(2) Criminal Code
• One count of Knowingly Possess a Prohibited Firearm, s. 92(1) Criminal Code
• One count of Storage of a Non-Restricted Firearm Contrary to Regulations, s. 86(2) Criminal Code
• One count of Storage of a Restricted Firearm Contrary to Regulations, s. 86(2) Criminal Code
• One count of Storage of a Prohibited Firearm Contrary to Regulations, s. 86(2) Criminal Code
• One count of Knowingly Possess a Prohibited Firearm, s. 92(2) Criminal Code

He is scheduled to appear at the Windsor courthouse on November 16, 2026.

Quotes

"I have seen first-hand how the CBSA works to keep illegal firearms from entering Canada and threatening the safety of our communities. Through active border enforcement, CBSA officers are disrupting criminal activity and protecting Canadians."

    -  The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

"This arrest and criminal charges are the result of a lengthy investigation by investigators with CBSA's Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team, following the initial seizure by border services officers. This dedicated team is disrupting the inventory of illegal firearms in Canada."

    -  Trishann Pascal, Executive Director, Greater Toronto Area Region and National Lead, Combatting Firearms Smuggling, Canada Border Services Agency

Quick facts

• The CBSA's Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team (OFSET) is a group of criminal investigators, intelligence analysts, and intelligence officers dedicated solely to investigating firearms smuggling throughout the Province of Ontario.
• The CBSA identifies and intercepts contraband through targeting and inspection activities, which result in seizures across the country, investigations and charges under the Customs Act and the Criminal Code.
• CBSA investigators have the ability to obtain search warrants and other judicial authorizations to search and seize evidence of criminal offences under the Customs Act and other border-related legislation.
• Canada is investing $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border and strengthen the immigration system, while keeping Canadians safe. Information on the border plan is available at The Government of Canada's Border Plan: significant investments to strengthen border security and our immigration system.

If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, including firearms smuggling, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line toll-free at 1-888-502-9060, or visit us online.

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SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency

Contacts: Media Relations, Canada Border Services Agency, [email protected], 1-877-761-5945