Guns tied to Akwesasne trafficking linked to Montreal crime scenes

U.S. federal prosecutors say five people have pleaded guilty and eight others have been charged in connection with a gun trafficking operation that smuggled illegal weapons into Canada through Akwesasne.

Among the weapons traced to the operation are a pistol found during a Montreal kidnapping investigation, a handgun used in a Guy Street shooting, and two guns found in La Baie linked to members of the Blood Family Mafia gang. Authorities have tied 51 guns total to the operation, which began in summer 2021 and ran at least until October 2025.