Police in Manitoba have expanded the criminal charges against former Member of Parliament Inky Mark following a massive search of his residence. The RCMP reports that the investigation into the Dauphin-area home has uncovered hundreds of firearms and a substantial cache of explosives.
445 firearms and 26.5 kilograms of explosives
The RCMP has significantly expanded its investigation into Inky Mark, a former Member of Parliament, following a July 7 search of his home near Dauphin, Manitoba. According to a Wednesday news release from the RCMP, the investigation has resulted in the seizure of 445 firearms and 26.5 kilograms of explosives.
The scale of the cache is notable; police reported that 295 of the firearms were unsafely stored, while 10 were classified as prohibited. furthermore, the 26.5 kilograms of explosives found at the property reportedly exceed the legal limit for licensed individuals by more than four times. The RCMP also noted that 11 restricted or prohibited firearms found at the scene were not registered to Mark.
The $300,000 cash found during the July 7 search
Beyond the weaponry,investigators recovered more than $300,000 in currency during the initial raid on the Manitoba residence. This discovery has become a central point of contention in the legal proceedings against Mark, as authorities look into the origin of the funds.
While the RCMP has included weapons trafficking in the charges against him, Mark has offered a different explanation for the money. As reported by CBC News, the former politician claims the cash originated from various property sales in the Dauphin area and has denied any connection to illegal firearms activity.
An alleged firearm transfer linked to a coyote sighting
New details from the RCMP suggest that the legal issues for Inky Mark extend to specific interpersonal interactions. Police allege that between December 2024 and February 2025, Mark visited a friend's home without being prompted.
The RCMP claims this visit was motivated by a social media post regarding a coyote on the friend's property. During this encounter, Mark allegedly handed the individual a firearm and ammunition, an act that forms part of the expanding list of 38 total charges.
A decades-long collection caught in shifting gun laws
The defense presented by Inky Mark centers on his history as a long-term firearms enthusiast. Mark, who represented the Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa riding and served with the Reform Party, Canadian Alliance, and Conservative Party, maintains his innocence regarding trafficking.
He has stated that he has been a legal collector of firearms since the early 1970s. According to Mark, many of the items currently under scrutiny became illegal to possess only because of subsequent changes to Canadian gun laws over the decades.
The mystery of the two missing registered firearms
Despite the massive seizure, seveal specific details remain unresolved in the RCMP's report.. Most notably, the RCMP stated that two firearms previously registered to Mark could not be located during the investigation.
There are also questions regarding the status of the 11 restricted or prohibited firearms found at the site that were not registered to Mark. While the RCMP has laid 38 total charges, the investigation currently lacks a response from the friend involved in the alleged coyote-related firearm transfer, leaving that specific allegation unverified.
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