AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Canadian national got a nearly 7-year prison sentence related to the illegal purchase of handguns in Austin with the intent to smuggle them into Canada, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ said 31-year-old Harsimran Dhaliwal, a Canadian citizen, was sentenced to 82 months in prison, as well as given a $30,000 fine. Dhaliwal was accused of operating a gun smuggling operation to bring handguns into Canada, which are illegal in the country. “In 2022, Dhaliwal made arrangements with a straw purchaser to obtain numerous handguns in and around the Austin area,” the DOJ said. “Dhaliwal then smuggled the handguns back to Canada.” According to the DOJ, at least two of the guns were recovered in Canada and linked to crimes there.