A Dauphin man out on bail awaiting trial in the United States connected to the theft of a handgun is facing additional charges following a search of his residence by RCMP.

Wilfred Kachurowski, 73, has been charged with seven firearms and gun smuggling related offences, including weapons trafficking, importing weapons knowing they are unauthorized, possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a restricted firearm, and unsafe storage of firearms.

On March 23, Manitoba RCMP were notified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that firearms charges had been laid in Minnesota against Kachurowski after a handgun was stolen during a gun show two days earlier in Newfolden, Minn.

Kachurowski was arrested at the scene and a handgun was recovered from his bag by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. He was subsequently charged with felony theft, released on bail and returned to Canada, Mar. 28.

Officers from the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team (MILET) and the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) began investigating after learning additional stolen weapons may be located at Kachurowski’s residence, in the RM of Dauphin.

On April 15, MILET West officers - assisted by NWEST, the RCMP West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team and Dauphin RCMP - executed a search warrant at the address.

Six handguns were recovered, at least two of which were identified as being stolen from the United States.

None of the firearms were stored in compliance with regulations and several firearms were loaded.

Kachurowski was remanded in custody.

The investigation continues.