Former Member of Parliament Inky Mark, who faced a dozen weapons charges last month, now confronts an additional 26 charges following the discovery of 445 firearms and 26.5 kilograms of explosives at his residence in Manitoba. The 78-year-old was reapprehended on August 12 as part of an ongoing investigation by the RCMP.
During a search on July 7 near Dauphin in western Manitoba, Mark was initially arrested on 12 weapons-related offenses, including firearms trafficking and possession of firearms with tampered serial numbers. The authorities reported seizing 439 guns, an antique cannon, and ammunition from his property.
After analyzing the evidence collected in July, the RCMP revealed that a total of 445 firearms were confiscated, with 295 found to be stored unsafely, 10 being prohibited, and 11 categorized as restricted or prohibited firearms not registered to Mark. Additionally, 26.5 kilograms of explosives were seized, exceeding the legal possession limit for licensed individuals.
Among the new charges laid against Mark are weapons trafficking, possession of prohibited weapons, possession of restricted firearms with ammunition, and unauthorized firearm possession. Furthermore, Mark is accused of possessing firearms with tampered serial numbers, failing to report a firearm loss, and unlawfully possessing over six kilograms of explosives, mainly Tannerite, a type of explosive target used in firearm practice.
In an email to CBC News, a Manitoba RCMP spokesperson mentioned that Tannerite possession exceeding six kilograms is illegal. Mark had previously admitted to unlawfully transferring three guns but denied any involvement in firearms trafficking. He claimed to have legally collected firearms since the 1970s, although some of his weapons are now prohibited due to changes in gun legislation.
Following the initial charges, Mark disclosed that over $300,000 in currency seized during the search represented proceeds from property transactions in Dauphin and was unrelated to firearms trafficking. A subsequent allegation by the RCMP suggested that Mark, between December 2024 and February 2025, provided a firearm and ammunition to an unlicensed individual, resulting in a weapons trafficking charge.
Mark, a former Member of Parliament representing the Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa riding, served in various political capacities before resigning in 2010. He ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 2015 as an independent candidate after starting his political career as mayor of Dauphin in 1994.