The Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team arrested two residents on February 22, 2026, after finding 3D-printed firearm parts at a home in the Clearview neighbourhood of Red Deer, Alberta. Police discovered the items while performing a routine check on a resident who was required by the court to follow specific release conditions.
Following a search of the house, officers seized a 3D printer, a 3D-printed handgun, and a rifle barrel. They also found a 3D-printed receiver, 3D-printed knuckles, ammunition, and items used for illegal drugs.
Braidon Ophus (30) and Courtney Smith (26), both residents of Red Deer, were taken into custody and face several charges including weapons trafficking and unsafe storage. The 30-year-old also faces charges for possessing weapons despite a court order and failing to follow previous release conditions.
Both individuals were held in custody after their hearings and were required to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on February 24, 2026. The Red Deer RCMP says the investigation into the manufacture of these untraceable weapons is still ongoing.
