Police find sawed-off rifle, explosive devices in man's backpack

A 27-year-old Vegreville man faces charges after RCMP found a prohibited firearm, more than 350 rounds of ammunition and two suspected explosive devices inside his backpack.

The man was detained Feb. 23 during the course of an investigation, Vegreville RCMP said in a news release Monday.

A search of his backpack revealed a loaded, sawed-off .22-calibre rifle and more than 350 rounds of .22-calibre ammunition.

Two homemade devices that may have contained explosives were found in the same backpack, RCMP said.

"They were wrapped in electrical tape," Cpl. Leigh Drinkwater said in an interview.

"They looked about the size of a shotgun shell, however we don't know at this time what they contained, so currently they are being analyzed by our explosive disposal unit out of Edmonton," he said.

"If they are indeed explosive devices and they remain in an uncontrolled environment, the risk to public safety and to the police is quite great."

The investigation did find any evidence that the man was planning to commit any criminal offences.

"But simply being in possession of these items, those are criminal offences unto themselves," Drinkwater said.

Police have charged the man with 10 criminal offences.

They include possession of an improvised explosive device likely to cause harm or death, possession of explosives for an unlawful purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon for a dangerous purpose and three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

The man was held in custody and was scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday.