5 indicted in Florida-to-Canada gun trafficking ring

Federal officials have indicted five men in connection with a firearms trafficking conspiracy that smuggled more than 100 weapons purchased in Tampa and South Florida into Canada.

The Brief
Investigators say some of the guns were linked to homicides, shootings, and clandestine drug labs in Canada. The five men face charges including conspiracy to traffic firearms, firearms trafficking, and dealing firearms without a license.

TAMPA, Fla. – According to federal authorities, Tyler Corbin, 25; Edward Noel, 26; Omar Singateth, 24; Arif Jhuman, 39; and Alfredo Santana, 32, participated in trafficking weapons to a transnational criminal organization operating in the U.S. and Canada from October 2023 to June 2024.

Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

What we know
Officials say at least 29 of the firearms seized were linked to crimes in Canada, including three homicides. One of the weapons used in a homicide had been purchased about a month earlier by Corbin in Tampa, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Investigators believe the operation was highly profitable, as firearms purchased in the U.S. can fetch significant sums on the Canadian black market.

Tyler Corbin, a Tampa resident with Canadian citizenship, acted as a purchaser and supplier of the weapons. He was arrested in Tampa on December 8.
Alfredo Santana, a U.S. citizen, trafficked the weapons and was arrested in Miami on December 4.
Edward Noel, a Canadian citizen, also purchased and supplied weapons and is currently in custody in Canada.
Omar Singateth, a Canadian citizen, is also in custody in Canada.
Arif Jhuman, a Canadian citizen, remains a fugitive and is wanted on multiple charges in Canada.

All five were indicted on conspiracy to traffic firearms, firearms trafficking, and dealing firearms without a license.

Additionally, Corbin faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which included fentanyl.

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