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Two restricted handguns inside an international traveller’s luggage were seized earlier this week at the Edmonton International Airport.

They were found Monday morning, when Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) staff detected two unauthorized handguns in a checked suitcase destined for Beruit, Lebanon.

RCMP were called in and seized a Norinco Model 54 9mm semi-automatic handgun, as well as a Chiappa Model 1911-22 handgun. The Norinco is a military service pistol manufactured in China, while the Chiappa is American-made.

“It is a little unusual,” Const. Drew Burchett with Edmonton International Airport RCMP said. “It’s not unheard of from time to time that people do not declare their firearms, or transport firearms and this would be flagged and we would be called to deal with the criminal side of things. But it doesn’t happen every day.”

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RCMP tracked down the owner of the luggage, who was arrested without incident on the secure side of the airport, moments before departure.

Police said the suspect holds dual citizenship and was on his way back to Lebanon for the winter when he was arrested.

“Our partnership with CATSA has enabled us to take two restricted guns off the street,” Edmonton International Airport RCMP Sgt. Beth Philipp said.

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Sixty-year-old Mohamad Abdulgani Elkadri, of Edmonton, was charged with two counts of unsafely transporting a restricted weapon, two counts of possessing a restricted firearm without a licence, and two counts of exporting a firearm without authorization.

Elkadri was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court in Leduc on Nov. 1.

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Burchett explained that it is not illegal to transport firearms as long as you follow all the guidelines to do so.

“You can transport guns, you can transport handguns, you can transport long guns as long as you have the proper paperwork and make that declaration with the airlines,” he said.

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“As long as the airlines know what you’re doing and you have the proper paperwork, then you can transport these firearms.”