A man from Beausejour faces numerous firearms-related charges connected to the manufacturing of ghost guns.

In April 2023, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Winnipeg Land Commercial office examined a shipment that was found to contain items related to the manufacturing of unserialized firearms. Then, on March 12, 2024, CBSA officers, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant at a rural property near Chatfield, Manitoba. Items seized include:

  • Nine long guns with serial numbers (two prohibited firearms, seven non-restricted firearms)
  • Two unserialized Polymer 80 pistol receiver blanks for Glock pattern handguns (restricted firearms) and other handgun parts
  • One Ghost Gunner Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine and one 3D printer
  • One unserialized lower receiver for an AR pattern rifle (a prohibited firearm)
  • Fully automatic parts for an AR pattern rifle (prohibited devices) and other AR parts
  • Multiple overcapacity magazines (prohibited devices) and ammunition

On April 9th, CBSA officers returned to the search location and seized the following items:

  • One fully automatic, unserialized AR-15 pattern rifle (prohibited firearm)
  • One automatic switch for a Glock handgun (prohibited device)

As a result, 53-year-old Robert Ripcik of Beausejour has been charged with the following:

  • False statements, contrary to section 153(a) of the Customs Act
  • Possession of illegally imported goods, contrary to section 155 of the Customs Act
  • Unauthorized possession of firearms, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of prohibited devices, contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Firearms manufacturing, contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code

Ripcik has been in custody since March 12th. His next scheduled court date is June 7th.

"These charges are a direct result of the dedication of the CBSA Integrated Firearm Enforcement Team and our intelligence and criminal investigators in Winnipeg, whose efforts have prevented these prohibited firearms and firearms parts from entering our communities," says Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General, CBSA, Prairie Region. "I'd also like to thank our law enforcement partners, the Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP, for their contributions in this case."