RCMP have seized more than 400 firearms from a Dauphin home as part of a months‑long weapons‑trafficking investigation that has now led to charges against former mayor and former MP Inky Mark.
The investigation began in late March, when RCMP were alerted that a 73‑year‑old Dauphin‑area man had been charged in the United States with firearms offences. That notification triggered a Canadian investigation, and while officers were executing a search warrant in that case, they discovered firearms linked to a second suspect that had never been legally transferred.
The National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) obtained two additional warrants for the second suspect’s home, which were executed July 7 with support from multiple RCMP units, including CREST, Serious and Organized Crime, the Emergency Response Team, Dauphin RCMP and Police Dog Services.
Officers seized 439 firearms, an antique cannon, ammunition and more than $300,000 in cash. RCMP say it will take weeks to catalogue the collection and determine how many weapons were illegally possessed. So far, investigators believe at least three firearms were trafficked and one had its serial number tampered with.
Antique canon. (Photo credit: Dauphin RCMP)
Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy said the case underscores the danger posed by prohibited weapons trafficking and praised officers for their work.
Mark, 78, is charged with firearm trafficking, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, multiple counts of careless use and unsafe storage of firearms, and several offences related to unauthorized possession of prohibited or restricted weapons.
He was initially remanded into custody and later released on a release order.
🔫 Complete List of Seized Weapons
(as provided by RCMP)
- 439 firearms — including prohibited, restricted and non‑restricted weapons
- Antique cannon
- Ammunition (quantity not yet fully catalogued)
- More than $300,000 in cash
