A Lloydminster man is facing firearms trafficking charges after police seized 18 guns from a rural Alberta property, including weapons believed to be stolen.ALERT’s organized crime team in Lloydminster executed the seizure on June 4 at a residence near Marwayne, about 40 kilometres northwest of the city. Kitscoty RCMP assisted in the operation.The investigation alleges the 18-year-old suspect, Zachary Gayton, was attempting to illegally sell the firearms online. None of the guns were lawfully possessed, one had its serial number removed, and several are believed to have been stolen. ALERT also seized ammunition and prohibited over-capacity magazines..“It’s not unreasonable to say that this seizure provided a huge intervention towards keeping the community safe. More often than not, someone acquiring stolen firearms is using them to commit further criminal offences,” said Insp. Brad Lundeen of ALERT.The firearms will undergo forensic analysis and ballistics testing at ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Lab, which can restore serial numbers and determine if any of the weapons were used in crimes.Gayton is charged with weapons trafficking and several other firearms-related offences. ALERT continues to investigate.ALERT, funded by the Alberta government, combines specialized law enforcement teams to target organized crime in the province.
