Port Coquitlam gun shop operators charged following raid

The operators of a Port Coquitlam, B.C., gun shop have been charged after police raided the Prairie Avenue premises and seized a large stash of allegedly illegal firearms.

The Coquitlam RCMP and the integrated border enforcement team arrested two people and closed the Sureshot Tactical and Hunting shop after finding an array of high-powered weaponry inside during the Friday-morning raid.

The owner Shahriar Tavazoie is facing 10 charges including possession of prohibited weapons without a licence, import or export of firearms knowing it is unauthorized, illegal possession of weapons or devices or ammunition for transfer and violating the Customs Act.

Tavazoie's female partner and co-accused, Maryam Behagn, is facing four similar charges.

Police have yet to confirm the types of weapons seized, but many so-called tactical weapons that can be modified to make them automatic weapons are banned for sale to the public in Canada.

The RCMP said similar tactical weapons have been seized from Lower Mainland gang members, and have been used in at least one fatal shooting.

The involvement of the integrated border enforcement team and the charges laid may indicate police suspected illegal weapons were being smuggled across the border.

IBET is made up of officers from the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Coast Guard.