WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Police Service has announced that in partnership with police agencies across Western Canada they have made a major drug bust. The Chief of Police, Danny Smyth says it is the biggest drug bust he has seen in his thirty-year policing career.
Over three million dollars in drugs and property was seized as a result of the operation. The Winnipeg Police hosted the media today in Winnipeg showing some of the materials seized including a Chevrolet Corvette and a Volvo Semi Rig truck. The execution of the search warrants required more than 300 police members working collectively across Western Canada. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) WPS members and thirty-five (35) RCMP members were involved in arrests and search warrants in Winnipeg. Twenty (20) Edmonton Police Service members and 1 WPS member assembled in Edmonton, and a fifty-six (56) RCMP member team was required in British Columbia to execute search warrants. Additionally, thirty-one (31) members of the Regina Police Service executed 4 search warrants independently that related back to information that was obtained during this project.
As the scope of the investigation expanded inter-provincially, the Winnipeg Police Service partnered with the RCMP, and other law enforcement agencies to assist with this complex organized crime investigation.
The nearly 10-month investigation concluded on October 18, 2018, where a total of 16 search warrants were executed across the prairie provinces; 8 residences in Winnipeg, 4 in Regina, 1 in Edmonton and 2 residences and 1 additional property in the lower mainland of British Columbia.
This effort took an enormous amount of co-ordination and co-operation across many jurisdictions.
Eleven Kilos of Cocaine Seized
There were also major quantities of cocaine seized, 11 kilos of cocaine. There were a number of other drugs seized as well including 4.5 pounds of marihuana. The message of removing marihuana from the streets under the legalization of cannabis was being sent in this operation.
The Winnipeg Police state, “Illicit drug use presents an urgent and growing threat to our community and public health. Illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and ketamine continue to be a risk to the safety and well-being of all citizens. Addiction, property crime, and acts of violence are often a result of the drug subculture.:
In order to combat the current crisis, the Winnipeg Police Service has implemented an Illicit Drug Strategy that includes elements of enforcement, intervention, awareness, and education.
One of the primary goals of the WPS Organized Crime Division is to disrupt the illicit drug market through enforcement.
The Organized Crime Division initiated Project Riverbank in early 2018. This investigation targeted a sophisticated criminal drug network that supplied a variety of illicit drugs through a supply chain across the western provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The following 10 adults were arrested and charged with a total of 156 criminal code offences related to conspiracy and trafficking of a controlled substance, firearms, and proceeds of crime.
- Mohammad Shakil Khan, 39 yrs. of Vancouver, BC
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Assault
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Careless Storage of a Firearm, Weapon Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
- Possession of a Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x 2
- Mason Joaquin Burg, 24 yrs. of Winnipeg, MB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Careless Storage of a Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Assault
- Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
- Extortion
- Allan Ronald Rodney, 70 yrs. of Surrey, BC
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 2
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Shontal Vaupotic, 32 yrs. of Surrey, BC
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 2
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Herbert Mejia-Orellana-Delgado, 29 yrs. of Edmonton, AB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Selling (Cannabis)(Edmonton)
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)(Edmonton)
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (Edmonton)
- Daniel Jason Finkbeiner, 30 yrs. of Winnipeg, MB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Heroin)
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Selling (Cannabis)
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Lisa Dawn Hallson 32, yrs. of Winnipeg, MB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine) x 2
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Heroin)
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Oxycodone)
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Amanda Marie Borges, 27 yrs. of Winnipeg, MB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession of a Weapon
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order x 4
- Fail to Comply Conditions of an Undertaking
- Darci Ann Geiger, 33 yrs. of Winnipeg, MB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Ketamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Heroin) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Methamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) x 2
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Proceeds of Crime) x 3
- William Junior Fuller, 22 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
- Conspiracy to Traffic (Cocaine) x 2
- Possession of Scheduled Substance (Cocaine)
Manitoba Seizures and Values
| Cash: | |
| Cash total (approximate) | $121,000 |
| Firearms | |
| Walther P99 9mm semi-automatic handgun and ammunition |
|
| Drugs seized in MB: | |
| 3 kg Methamphetamine | $105,000 |
| 11 kg Cocaine | $660,000 |
| 2 kg Ketamine | $14,000 |
| 6 oz Heroin | $42,000 |
| 4.5 lb Marihuana | $9,000 |
| 21 kg of cutting agent | $14,700 |
| 20 Oxycodone Pills | $800 |
Total Street Value Drug seized |
$845,500 |
| Vehicles seized in MB: | |
| 2019 Volvo Tractor | $266,000 |
| 2018 Ford F450 | $91,000 |
| 2013 Construction Trailer | $7,500 |
| 2002 Subaru | $3,500 |
| 2010 Honda Civic | $4,500 |
| 2011 BMW 328xi | $10,000 |
| 2014 Chev Camaro | $16,000 |
| 2013 Nissan Sentra | $6,000 |
| Value of vehicles seized | $404,500 |
British Columbia Seizures and Values
| Cash: | |
| Cash total (approximate) | $250,000 |
| Vehicles Seized in BC: | |
| 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 | $90,000 |
| 2018 Dodge Durango | $50,000 |
| 2017 Porsche 911 | $160,000 |
| 2018 BMW M4 | $78,000 |
| 2016 McLaren 650s | $400,000 |
| 2018 Harley Davidson | $25,000 |
| 2016 Open Range Trailer | $75,000 |
| Sting Ray Boat | $50,000 |
| 2014 Karavan Boat Trailer | $3,000 |
| 2016 Mercedes CLA250 | $30,000 |
| 2004 Suzuki GSXR | $5,000 |
| Value of vehicles seized | $966,000 |
Alberta Seizures and Values
| Drugs, Vehicles and Cash Seized in AB | |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | $13,000 |
| 2 oz Cocaine | $4,000 |
| 4 lb of Marihuana | $8,000 |
| Cash | $2,000 |
Total value of seizures in AB |
$27,000 |
Saskatchewan Seizures and Values
| Drugs, Vehicles and Cash Seized in SK: | |
| 2005 Chevrolet Corvette | $20,000 |
| 1999 Ford F150 | $5,000 |
| 1 kg Methamphetamine | $35,000 |
| 333 g Psilocybin | $5,000 |
| 22 g Cocaine | $1,760 |
| Cash | $5,740 |
| Total value of seizures in SK | $72,500 |
In summary the combined value of drugs, property, and cash seized is approximately $2.7 million. (Drugs seized – $899,260; vehicles seized – $1,408,500; cash seized – $378,740.)
This investigation demonstrates the ability of the WPS Organized Crime Division to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutions to detect, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations.
The Winnipeg Police Service would like to acknowledge the support of other involved police agencies that assisted with this investigation: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Vancouver Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, and Regina Police Service.
