A Langley man gets 30 months in prison and a 10-year gun ban after a Surrey traffic stop uncovers loaded illegal firearms and weapons.
A routine traffic stop in Surrey turned into a major weapons bust. Now, a Langley man is headed to prison.
Police say what started as a simple roadside check quickly escalated into a serious public safety case. In the end, a loaded prohibited handgun, a loaded sawed-off shotgun, and other weapons were taken off the streets. As a result, the man involved has been sentenced to 30 months behind bars — and he will not be allowed to own firearms for a decade.
Traffic Stop in Surrey Leads to Major Seizure
The incident unfolded in Surrey, where officers with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia were conducting enforcement operations. Although traffic stops are common, this one quickly raised red flags.
Officers pulled over a vehicle as part of proactive policing efforts. However, during the stop, police uncovered far more than they expected. Inside the vehicle, they located a loaded prohibited handgun. In addition, they seized a loaded sawed-off shotgun — a weapon often linked to violent crime due to its concealability and destructive power.
Moreover, other weapons were also discovered during the search. Because of these findings, the situation shifted from a traffic violation to a significant criminal investigation.
Loaded and Prohibited Weapons
Authorities confirmed that both firearms were loaded at the time they were found. That detail matters. A loaded weapon increases the risk of immediate harm, not only to police officers but also to the public.
Furthermore, the handgun was classified as prohibited under Canadian law. Prohibited firearms are tightly restricted due to their design and potential for misuse. Similarly, sawed-off shotguns are illegal because their shortened barrels make them easier to hide and more dangerous at close range.
Consequently, the presence of these weapons in a vehicle travelling through a busy Lower Mainland community raised serious concerns.
Court Hands Down 30-Month Sentence
After the case moved through the courts, a judge handed down a 30-month prison sentence. The Langley man will now serve time in federal custody.
In addition, a 10-year firearms prohibition order was imposed. That means once he is released, he will still be barred from owning, possessing, or acquiring firearms for a full decade.
Court decisions like this send a clear message. Illegal weapons will not be tolerated, and those caught carrying them will face significant consequences.
Impact on Community Safety
Although no injuries were reported in this case, the outcome could have been far worse. Therefore, police stress the importance of proactive enforcement.
By conducting targeted traffic stops, specialized units aim to intercept illegal weapons before violence occurs. In this instance, officers prevented potentially dangerous firearms from remaining in circulation.
Community safety remains a top priority for law enforcement across British Columbia. As a result, collaborative units like CFSEU-BC focus on disrupting organized crime and gun violence before it escalates.
A Broader Crackdown on Illegal Guns
Across the province, police agencies continue to combat the presence of illegal firearms. While many gun owners follow the law, a small number choose to ignore strict regulations.
Because illegal guns often move through underground networks, proactive policing plays a key role in disrupting supply chains. Traffic stops, surveillance, and intelligence-led investigations help officers identify high-risk individuals.
In this case, a single vehicle stop removed two loaded firearms from circulation. That outcome highlights how routine enforcement can lead to major public safety wins.
Strong Message From the Courts
Sentencing decisions reflect both accountability and deterrence. A 30-month prison term is significant. Moreover, the added 10-year firearms ban extends the consequences well beyond incarceration.
Judges consider factors such as public risk, the nature of the weapons, and the circumstances of the offence. Here, the presence of loaded prohibited firearms likely weighed heavily in the decision.
As a result, the sentence underscores the seriousness of gun-related offences in Canada.
What This Means for Surrey and Langley
For residents in Surrey and nearby Langley, the case serves as a reminder that illegal weapons can surface anywhere. However, it also demonstrates that enforcement efforts are active and ongoing.
Police continue to encourage the public to report suspicious activity. Even small tips can assist investigations. Meanwhile, specialized units remain focused on keeping communities safe.
Although the traffic stop may have seemed routine at first, it ultimately prevented potentially dangerous weapons from remaining on local streets.
Moving Forward
Gun violence remains a concern in many Canadian communities. Therefore, coordinated enforcement and strong judicial responses play a vital role in prevention.
This case shows how quick action, thorough investigation, and firm sentencing work together. Because of that combination, two loaded firearms are no longer in circulation, and a convicted offender is behind bars.
Ultimately, what began as a traffic stop became a powerful example of proactive policing in action. And for Surrey and Langley residents, that means one less threat on the road.
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