Newfoundland Crown Prosecutor Under Investigation for Smuggling and Weapons Offences
A provincial Crown prosecutor in Newfoundland and Labrador, Lee Ballett, is under investigation by the RCMP for alleged smuggling and weapons offences. Charges are currently pending following the seizure of a cache of firearms and prohibited weapons late last year.
Investigation Details
The details of the investigation are outlined in a sworn affidavit by RCMP Constable Maude Pilon. The federal Crown applied for a detention order in provincial court earlier this month to retain the seized evidence as the investigation continues. CBC News reported on February 27, 2026.
Alleged Offences
While Ballett has not yet been formally charged, the RCMP affidavit indicates potential charges including:
- Unauthorized importing and exporting
- Smuggling into Canada
- Disposing of goods illegally
- Various weapons-related offences
Timeline of Events
The investigation began in early November 2025, triggered by a tip from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). A package containing a firearm suppressor was intercepted at a Canada Post warehouse in Ontario, addressed to Ballett at a St. John’s residence.
On November 20, the package was delivered to Ballett’s address, equipped with a tracker that alerted authorities upon opening. The RCMP’s emergency response team subsequently searched the property and a BMW registered to Ballett, seizing:
- Nine firearms
- 23 magazines (including three prohibited devices)
- Body armour
- Brass knuckles
- Knives
- 35 grams of Psilocybin
Two iPhones and one laptop were also seized as evidence. Review of one iPhone revealed no evidence, but a second phone requires review by a “referee” from the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure solicitor-client privilege is maintained.
Current Status
Associate Chief Judge Jennifer Mercer extended the detention order until June during a court appearance on Thursday. Ballett did not appear in court. The federal Crown is handling the detention application due to the nature of the alleged import and export offences.
Employment Status and Response
Ballett was called to the bar in 2021 and is still listed as practicing with the provincial Crown attorney’s office on the Law Society website. An email sent to Ballett’s government address bounced back, and the province’s director of public prosecutions, Lisa Stead, declined to comment on Ballett’s current employment status, citing privacy reasons. Stead stated that the public prosecutions office takes the integrity of all prosecutions seriously and strives to ensure compliance with the law and policies.