OPP arrest three, seize replica handgun in North Frontenac

Three people are facing charges after an investigation into the importation of prohibited weapons resulted in a search warrant for a North Frontenac address.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) and the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) executed a search warrant on Thursday, Mar. 24, 2021 at an address on Victory Lane in North Frontenac Township, Ontario. According to a release from OPP, three people were arrested and police seized a 3-D printer that was in the process of replicating a hand gun.

In early 2021, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) commenced an investigation into the importation of prohibited weapons into Canada as several deliveries of firearm parts were linked to the address, OPP said.

Police arrested and charged three people:

Nolan Pichette, a 21 year old from Ottawa,

• Trafficking a firearm – two counts
• Failure to comply with release order – two counts
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm – two counts
• Careless storage of a firearm – two counts

This accused has been held for a bail hearing.

Anna Pichette, a 61 year old from Admaston-Bromley Township,

• Trafficking a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm – two counts
• Careless storage of a firearm – two counts

Cory Benoit, a 40 year old from Greater Madawaska Township,

• Failure to comply with release order – two counts

These two accused have been released on an appearance notice to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Kingston to answers to the charges at a later date.