TORONTO

An Ontario couple has been arrested in a firearms trafficking investigation where more than 45 weapons were seized, Toronto Police say.

On March 16, the Canada Border Services Agency working on a tip from Toronto Police Service’s Firearm Enforcement Unit stopped a man and a woman as they crossed into Canada on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls with their two children.

“These are gun smugglers and they sell them on the streets,” Toronto Det.-Sgt. Rob Didanieli, with Organized Crime Enforcement, alleged Monday.

Police said one of the guns recovered was used in the attempted murder of a criminal known to police.

“When guns are being sold on the street there will be collateral damage,” Didanieli said.

A search of the couple’s van at the border found seven concealed handguns, two hand grenades, ammunition, over-capacity magazines and knives, police alleged.

A search warrant issued at their home resulted in the seizure of an additional 34 firearms, including 20 handguns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, police alleged.

Donald Earl Hare, 44, and Amanda Brent, 43, both of Proton Station, in Grey County in western Ontario, are in custody and have been charged with 73 firearm and firearm trafficking-related charges.

“(Hare) has travelled to Florida 15 to 20 times over the last couple of years. This would have been a significant source of firearms,” Didanieli alleged.

The accused are scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall on Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-2526 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).