Former Canadian MP Inky Mark arrested after police seized 439 guns and antique cannon from his home

A cultural appreciation for recreational shooting runs deep in the region.

Mark, a former mayor of Dauphin, was arrested on July 7 during a police raid.

He was released from prison last week after appearing in court on 12 charges.

“Trafficking of prohibited firearms is a serious crime that threatens public safety,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner and Manitoba Commanding Officer Scott McMurchy.

“We thank the many RCMP officers working on this case for their tireless efforts to target and prosecute individuals who traffic these dangerous and illegal firearms.”

The investigation began in March when police were told of a weapons charge in the U.S. against another Dauphin-area man.

That investigation led the RCMP to find and seize guns allegedly purchased by Marks, which police said were “never legally transferred.”

At least three guns are believed to have been smuggled and one gun had its serial number tampered with, authorities said. They found more than £300,000 (£158,000) in cash in the house.

“We know he’s a firearms collector, but that’s really all we know,” Manitoba RCMP Cpl Barry Kirby said at a press conference Monday, though the motive is unclear.

Mark was elected mayor of Dauphin in 1994 and lost re-election in 2010.

In Parliament from 1997 to 2010, when he left the House of Commons, he represented the constituency now known as Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa.

He ran for re-election as an independent in 2015 as a member of the Reform Party of Canada, the Canadian Alliance and the Conservatives.