London police seize deadly weapon glamorized in rap culture

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The Draco semi-automatic pistol is glorified in rap culture.

Rappers frequently mention the gun in their lyrics and brandish it in music videos and social media posts.

American rapper Soulja Boy adopted Draco as his alias, while hip hop artist Future released a single named for the gun.

A search on lyrics.com found “Draco” appears 16,603 time in lyrics by 104 artists.

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Now, in a first for London police, officers seized a Draco as part of a five-month probe that led to the city’s largest fentanyl seizure yet.

The Draco is one of five guns police seized along with more than $3 million worth of drugs, more than $250,000 in cash and other items from three homes in London, two in Toronto and one in Hamilton April 29, police said.

“I have not seen (a Draco) in London before,” said Det. Sgt. Jon Meinen, head of the guns and gangs section. “This firearm, unfortunately, has become a favourite for gang members.”

The Draco, built in Romania and exported to the U.S., is similar to an AK-47 assault rifle and designed to fire multiple rounds in quick succession. But the Draco is lighter, more compact and, most importantly, classed as a pistol in America. The gun, which holds 30 rounds of AK-47 ammo, has been criticized for having no practical purpose beyond being a tool of violence and intimidation.

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“It’s featured in rap videos,” Meinen said of the Draco, adding the weapon is common in Detroit.

Meinen wouldn’t say whether the Draco was seized in London, Hamilton or Toronto, but confirmed all the guns were traced back to various parts of the U.S.

Police trace a gun by using its serial number to determine the manufacturer or importer, then a wholesaler or distributer, retailer and, ultimately, a buyer. Canadian law enforcement works with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to trace guns believed to have been smuggled across the border.

Guns smuggled into Canada are typically bought at gun stores or shows by smugglers’ designated buyer, a tactic known as straw purchasing. U.S. citizens who buy guns at stores face background checks, but buyers at shows need only provide proof of citizenship and sign a declaration that the gun is for them.

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London police held a news conference Wednesday to announce results of a drug-trafficking probe launched in November after a tip from the public.

Hamilton, Toronto and Ontario Provincial Police officers helped London police in searches that led to seizure of 34.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.6 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 474 grams of cocaine, 18 kg of a cutting agent, six vehicles and more than $250,000 in cash, police said.

In another first for London, investigators dismantled a sophisticated fentanyl manufacturing operation where large quantities of raw, powdered fentanyl were processed for street-level distribution, Meinen said.

Four men – two from London, two from Toronto – face a combined 117 charges. Two of the men have been released on bail.

dcarruthers@postmedia.com

About the Draco semi-automatic pistol

• Built in Romania by Cugir Arms Factory and imported to U.S.
• Named after the Dacian dragon-like battle banner
• Marketed as personal defense weapon for targets at short distances.
• Stockless outfit led to classification as pistol
• Holds 30-round magazine
• Considered a prohibited weapon in Canada

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