Male Charged with Importation of Prohibited Weapons

ST. THOMAS, ON, Jan. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - On January 24, 2013 the London Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Southern Ontario Region and the St. Thomas Police Service executed a search warrant at a St. Thomas business which resulted in Gerald (Jerry) Swallow, 66 years of age, being charged with two counts of importation of a prohibited weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

CBSA officers at the International Mail Processing Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia intercepted two parcels containing prohibited weapons destined to Jerry Swallow of St. Thomas, Ontario. The first parcel, which originated from Singapore, was examined on December 4, 2012 and found to contain stun guns. The second parcel, which originated from China was examined on January 10, 2013 and found to contain brass knuckles. London CBSA Criminal Investigations then contacted the London RCMP and an investigation was initiated.

"These types of crimes have a serious impact on the security of our communities," stated S/Sgt. Steve Arthur, Acting Officer in Charge of RCMP London Detachment. "The success of this investigation was the result of the joint efforts of the Canada Border Services Agency, St. Thomas Police Service and the RCMP."

Gerald Swallow is scheduled to appear in court in St. Thomas on March 5, 2013.

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

For further information:

Cpl. Darren Morgan
Media Relation Officer
London Detachment
RCMP "O" Division       
Office: [phone] ext. 248