Canadian National Sentenced to Over 13 Years for Smuggling Dozens of Firearms into Canada

A Canadian national has been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from the United States into Canada. The sentencing, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is part of a broader effort by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) to combat transnational criminal organizations and illegal arms trafficking. The case highlights the cross-border nature of gun violence and the ongoing collaboration between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement.

Durante King-Mclean, 27, of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on May 14, 2025. His conviction stems from a traffic stop conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police in Franklin County on September 2, 2023. During the stop, King-Mclean, the sole occupant of the rental vehicle, fled on foot but was apprehended after a short pursuit. A subsequent search of the vehicle’s trunk revealed 65 handguns, each individually concealed within socks. Among the recovered firearms were two fully automatic weapons, 11 stolen handguns, and one with an obliterated serial number, indicating efforts to obscure its origin and ownership.

Authorities have indicated that King-Mclean was in communication with co-conspirators from April 2023 until his arrest. Prior to his apprehension in Pennsylvania, he had been residing at an Airbnb in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He rented the vehicle in late August 2023 and began driving north towards Canada with the illegally acquired firearms. Investigations revealed that King-Mclean had entered the United States illegally sometime after allegedly participating in a significant heist in Canada. On April 17, 2023, millions of dollars in gold bars and foreign currency were reportedly stolen from the Air Canada cargo terminal at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, an incident for which King-Mclean has been charged by Canadian authorities. His arrest on September 2, 2023, occurred as he was en route back to Canada with the 65 handguns.

The prosecution of King-Mclean is a component of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which is dedicated to dismantling criminal enterprises that operate across borders. The HSTF aims to address threats posed by cartels, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations by leveraging interagency collaboration among U.S. law enforcement. This initiative focuses on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting a wide range of criminal activities, with a particular emphasis on those that fuel violence and instability within the United States and abroad, including child trafficking and crimes involving children. The task force also prioritizes the removal of violent criminal aliens from the United States.

The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Harrisburg Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Behe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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