Calgary man with alleged ties to organized crime arrested, 8 guns seized
A Calgary man is facing dozens of charges after police seized an arsenal of guns last month, many of which were allegedly smuggled into Canada.
The two-month-long investigation began at the start of December 2022 after officers identified a person believed to be connected to organized crime and drug trafficking.
On Jan. 31, police took the suspect into custody during a traffic stop and searched his vehicle as well as two homes – one in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue S.W. and the other in the900 block of Rundleside Drive N.E.
As a result of the searches, police seized the following items:
- A stolen and loaded Ruger .22 handgun with a silencer;
- A Glock 31 handgun that had been modified to be fully automatic;
- A loaded Springfield 9mm handgun;
- A loaded Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 handgun;
- A Sig Sauer P938 9mm handgun;
- A Glock 42 380 Auto handgun;
- A loaded Taurus .38 Special handgun;
- A Glock 43x 9mm handgun;
- Several hundred rounds of various ammunition;
- A Taser;
- A collapsible baton;
- More than 1.8 kilograms of drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, Oxycontin, Xanax and cannabis; and
- Drug production and packaging materials.
Thien Luong, 24, of Calgary, is charged with 36 offences including:
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking;
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime;
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition;
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
- Possession of a prohibited device; and
- Possession of the proceeds of crime.
"All the firearms seized in this investigation were unlawfully possessed by the accused," said police in a Tuesday news release.
"Seven of the firearms are believed to have been smuggled into Canada and the remaining firearm was determined to be stolen."
Luong remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.