Federal report says guns missing from Kanesatake

Fifteen weapons, including restricted firearms, are missing from the Kanesatake Mohawk police force, according to a confidential audit report that probed security for the territorywest ofMontreal.

The force bought about $62,000 worth of weapons and ammunition, including assault rifles, Glock pistols, Beretta firearms and stun guns, following the 2004 policing crisis on the territory.

Former grand chief James Gabriel had decided to strengthen the territory's security force in an attempt to battle the organized crime he said was taking over Kanesatake and creating a climate of fear in the community.

The audit was carried out by an external auditing firm commissioned by Stephen Harper's government to examine how the previous federal government had handled the policing crisis in the Mohawk community.

According to the report, the police force did not track the weapons with a registry, and several guns are now missing.

The missing weapons include:

• Seven Glock pistols.
• Two Beretta firearms.
• Six stun guns.

The report alleges that roughly half of Kanesatake's police officers did not receive special training to use the restricted weapons, which is required by law.

On Tuesday, the head of Kanesatake's security forces denied any of the weapons were missing.

"I have the list of the inventory," Clarence Simon told CBC.

The Mohawk community owns more than 60 weapons, but they are stored in Drummondville, Que., Simon said.

Kanesatake's new grand chief, Steven Bonspille, wasn't as convinced, and called for further investigation.

"The auditor has a different idea. If he says 15 [weapons] are missing, he must have evidence."

Federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day is reviewing the audit report to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted. He's expected to make a decision in January 2007.

CBC News revealed earlier in 2006 that the Liberal federal government at the time approved $5.5 million in funding for Kanesatake's police force during the crisis.

Gabriel has denied any wrongdoing in spending the money.