‘Suspicious’ ad tipped off police in Toronto ‘ghost gun’ probe, investigators say

Toronto Police announce the results of ‘Project Cluster’, where 3D printed handguns were seized in a firearm manufacturing investigation.

A 28-year-old Toronto man accused of making 3D printed handguns is facing a number of charges in connection with a firearm manufacturing and trafficking probe, police say.

Toronto police said multiple 3D printed guns and components were seized following the suspect’s arrest in December 2025.

An investigation, dubbed Project Cluster, was launched in November 2025 after police received a tip from the RCMP about a “suspicious online advertisement” on a firearms website, Insp. Steve Matthews, of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday morning.

A suspect was subsequently identified in the case, he said, and was arrested on Dec. 9, 2025.

“The accused sold a 3D printed handgun receiver, the core component that legally defines a firearm, along with additional parts needed to complete it,” Matthews added.

A search warrant was conducted at the man’s residence and associated vehicles following the arrest.

At that time, Matthews said, officers recovered multiple 3D printed handguns, often referred to as “ghost guns,” along with gun components, and a 3D printer.

The inspector said some of the guns seized were linked to six firearm discharges in the Lawrence Avenue and Caledonia Road area between June 2025 and October 2025.

Matthews said more than 100 shell cartridge cases and unspent rounds were recovered in a “secluded area” that police believe was used as a testing ground for the guns.

In one incident, a nearby residence was hit by a projectile, he added.

The accused, identified by police as Brian Narciso, is now facing several charges, including firearm trafficking, manufacturing a prohibited firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm endangering life.

“These charges include a newer offence under Canadian law— possession of computer data for the purpose of manufacturing or trafficking firearms. That’s significant. It reflects how policing and the law are adapting to an evolving threat," Chief Superintendent Joe Matthews told reporters on Wednesday.

Insp. Matthews said ghost guns are a “relatively new” issue that Toronto police have started to see.

“I can tell you in the last six months, we’ve seized appropriately 10 functional 3D printed (guns) and about 16 3D printed frames,” he confirmed.

He said the firearms function just as a traditional handgun would.

“You have the 3D printed frames and then you have other components that are purchased and when combined, you get a fully functioning firearm,” Insp. Matthews said.

“One of the challenges is you can’t trace these through traditional means like you would through firearms bought at a store or smuggled across the border.”