A significant firearms trafficking investigation has led to charges against Inky Mark, a former federal Member of Parliament for a Dauphin-area riding in Manitoba. RCMP announced Monday that Mark, 78, faces a dozen weapons-related offences, including firearms trafficking, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, and unsafe storage of firearms. The charges stem from a search warrant executed on July 7 at Mark's home, where police seized 439 firearms, an antique cannon, ammunition, and over $300,000 in cash.
Investigators allege that at least three of the seized firearms were illegally trafficked, and one had its serial number tampered with. Hundreds of the weapons were also found to be improperly stored. The investigation began in March following firearms-related charges laid in the United States against a 73-year-old man from the Dauphin area. This led RCMP to identify Mark as a second suspect, alleging that firearms were purchased by him but never lawfully transferred.
Mark, who represented Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette from 1997 to 2010 under the Reform Party, Canadian Alliance, and Conservative banners, was arrested at his residence. He has since been released from custody with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court again on August 11. Police indicate that the extensive evidence collected will require several weeks to fully document and assess.
The RCMP highlighted that the trafficking of illegal firearms poses a serious risk, potentially enabling violence and supporting organized crime. Mark previously served as the Mayor of Dauphin from 1994 to 1997 before entering federal politics. This seizure marks one of the largest firearms seizures in recent Manitoba RCMP history.
