Police charge male with weapons offences; seize dozens of firearms

Lethbridge Police have charged a 43-year-old male after seizing dozens of firearms – a number of them restricted and improperly stored – along with over-capacity magazines, prohibited firearms, prohibited weapons and an unregistered handgun with no serial number making it untraceable.

On August 23, police responded to a disturbance at a northside residence where it was reported the occupant was in possession of illegal firearms, weapons and drugs. A search warrant was subsequently obtained and executed. During the search, police seized a quantity of cocaine, more than 70 prohibited, restricted and non-restricted firearms, hundreds of magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition and prohibited weapons, including throwing stars, brass knuckles and butterfly knives. Many of the firearms were stored improperly and a number of the magazines were found to be over-capacity. 

The male occupant of the home was arrested without incident at a local business and is facing multiple charges. 

Jesse Ross Kano, 43, of Lethbridge, is charged with three counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon, careless use/storage of a firearm and knowingly possessing an unauthorized firearm. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Kano was released from custody with numerous conditions, including weapons and firearms prohibitions. Kano is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 27.

Investigation in the matter is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.