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Vancouver man charged in 'sophisticated' scheme smuggling gun parts from the U.S., police say

A Vancouver man has been accused of running a "sophisticated" firearms scheme involving imported gun parts from the U.S., according to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.

Andy Emre Gencoglu, 24, facing 6 firearms-related charges, was handed 10-year firearm ban last year

Yasmine Ghania · CBC News ·
A blue uniform with a shoulder patch has a crown on top and the word Canada on the bottom separated by a circular logo with the Latin inscription, Protectio Servitium Integritas.
In 2023, the Canada Border Service Agency seized packages at the U.S.-Canada border that contained firearm parts imported from the U.S., according to police. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

A Vancouver man has been accused of running a "sophisticated" firearms scheme involving imported gun parts from the U.S., according to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.

Andy Emre Gencoglu, 24, is facing six firearm-related charges, including one count of smuggling a restricted firearm and two counts of importing a restricted firearm knowing it's unauthorized.

None of the allegations have been proven in court. Gencoglu has been released from custody on conditions, including that he not possess any weapons. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 15.

"This was a very sophisticated importation scheme that this person has created," Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha told CBC News.

"Smuggling firearms is a dangerous criminal activity that jeopardizes public safety and fuels violence."

A statue of Lady Justice, blindfolded and holding balanced scales, resides at Vancouver's Supreme Court building.
Andy Emre Gencoglu was handed a 10-year firearms ban in 2024 after he was found guilty of carelessly using or storing a firearm. (Peter Scobie/CBC)

Sangha said, in June 2023, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) seized packages at the U.S.-Canada border that were confirmed to contain firearms parts imported from the U.S.

"Combating gun smuggling and investigating those who break our laws is part of the Canada Border Services Agency's commitment to Canadians," said CBSA criminal investigations assistant director Harald Wuigk in a statement. 

Police then conducted a search warrant at a Richmond autobody shop and seized two firearms.

10-year firearm ban

"This business didn't have a direct involvement with this importation scheme, However, it was being used by our accused to get his packages to this body shop," Sangha said.

In November 2023, officers conducted another search warrant at the Vancouver home where Gencoglu lived, according to Sangha. She said officers found further evidence of the alleged gun importation scheme but could not provide more details.

Sangha said police believe that he was acting alone in this alleged operation.

In May 2024, Gencoglu was handed a nine-month conditional sentence and a 10-year firearms ban after he was found guilty of carelessly using or storing a firearm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yasmine Ghania

Reporter

Yasmine Ghania is an Egyptian-Canadian reporter with CBC News, currently based in Vancouver. She covers the courts, sex crimes and more for local and national audiences. She previously reported in Ottawa, Toronto and all over Saskatchewan and was a finalist for a Canadian Association of Journalists award. Reach her at yasmine.ghania@cbc.ca

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