Lumby man ordered to house arrest following firearm investigation by Canada Border Services

A Lumby man will be forced to spend almost 24 full months on house arrest following an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Eric James Canel plead guilty to three firearm-related offences stemming from the CBSA criminal investigation on March 15, 2025.

He was sentenced to two years minus one day of house arrest.

The CBSA arrested Canel in April of 2022 and executed a search of his residence in connection to improperly declared firearm parts.

Investigators seized a loaded illegal ghost handgun, eight non-restricted firearms, ammunition, a stun gun, and a prohibited knife.

At the time of the search, Canel was under court orders to not own weapons following a firearms-related conviction in 2016.

Canel was charged with possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized; possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition; and possession contrary to order. He plead guilty to all three of those charges.

In addition to house arrest, Canel was ordered to complete 240 hours of community service, and was issued a three year probation.

He was also required to forfeit all firearms and ammunition, and was given a ten-year prohibition for non-restricted firearms and a lifetime ban on owning restricted and prohibited firearms.