Manitoba’s Largest Illicit Drug Seizure Linked to Northwestern Ontario Distribution Network

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police say a two-year interprovincial organized crime investigation has led to the largest illicit drug seizure in Manitoba history, with 33 people arrested, 174 charges laid and investigators alleging the network distributed drugs through Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Police say the operation resulted in the seizure of more than $37.2 million in illicit drugs, 14 firearms, about $825,000 in currency and 1.35 million illegal cigarettes.

Northwestern Ontario Part Of Alleged Distribution Network

Police say the investigation began in May 2024 after the Winnipeg Police Service Organized Crime Unit started probing an alleged network importing large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into Winnipeg.

Investigators allege the drugs were then distributed throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Police also allege the network had international ties and associations with upper levels of organized crime in Canada, including the Hells Angels, the Wolfpack Alliance and a Mexican cartel.

According to police, controlled substances were imported from the United States using commercial vehicles, warehoused in Alberta and Ontario, and then moved into Manitoba through mail services, couriers, commercial transport and private vehicles with hidden compartments.

Drugs, Firearms And Cash Seized

Police say the investigation concluded in March 2026 and resulted in seizures including:

339 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated wholesale value of $2.71 million and estimated street value of $16.95 million;

175 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated wholesale value of $4.375 million and estimated street value of $17.5 million;

11.25 kilograms of fentanyl, with an estimated wholesale value of $225,000 and estimated street value of $2.7 million;
an undisclosed quantity of pills, cannabis and cannabis derivatives;

12 handguns, one carbine and one shotgun;

seven vehicles;

about $825,000 in currency; and

1.35 million illegal cigarettes, representing an estimated tax loss of $400,000.

OPP Northwest Region Involved In Investigation

The Winnipeg Police Service says the investigation involved multiple police and enforcement agencies, including the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, FINTRAC, RCMP in Alberta, Edmonton police, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit in Toronto, Winnipeg police Guns and Gangs Unit, Brandon police, Winkler police, Morden police and several Ontario Provincial Police units.

Ontario agencies listed by police included OPP Northwest Region, OPP Brant County, OPP Paris, Ont., and the Kenora OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.

Police also say OPP officers in Fort Frances and Dryden arrested four additional people connected to the project, resulting in the seizure of another 26 kilograms of cocaine. Police said that enforcement was conducted independently by OPP Northwest Region as part of proactive policing.

Accused Named By Police

The 33 people arrested are accused of drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and conspiracy-related offences.

They include:

Bahadur Bobir, 30, of Winnipeg; Zubair Mohammad-Zarif, 34, of Winnipeg; Samantha Graham, 28, of Winnipeg; Christopher Rundle, 44, of Winnipeg; TyrenPetiquan-Landon, 19, of Winnipeg; Ronald Zastre, 33, of Winnipeg; Tiffany Church, 34, of Winnipeg; Matthew Haiko, 46, of Winnipeg; Tongun Tongun, 24, of Winnipeg; Hothaifa Hassan, 24, of Winnipeg; George McFarlane, 50, of Winnipeg; Clinton Netengesic, 36, of Winnipeg; Addison Perry, 29, of Winnipeg; Daniel Finkbeiner, 38, of Winnipeg; Savannah McDougall, 24, of Winnipeg; Thomas Barnecki, 45, of Winnipeg; Cory Cozmenski, 48, of Winnipeg; Carol Dignard, 63, of Winnipeg; Norman Leduc, 60, of Winnipeg; Connor Abraham, 21, of Winnipeg; Mohammed Makhlouf, 23, of Winnipeg; Gage Hale, 31, of Winnipeg; Seth Driedger, 24, of Winnipeg; Shelby Hershfeldt, 39, of Winnipeg; Kaleigh Lajoie, 22, of Winnipeg; Richard Barnecki, 43, of Ile des Chênes, Man.; Gary Benjamin Thompson, 45, of Morris, Man.; Braeden Lindsay, 27, of Brandon, Man.; Merrick Wieler, 35, of Winkler, Man.; Chelsea Mageau, 35, of Edmonton; William Meredith, 25, of Kenora, Ont.; Vatana Chao, 35, of Brantford, Ont.; and Preaktra Chao, 33, of Brantford, Ont.

Police say Randy Chao and Tyler DeFelice, both of Brantford, Ont., are wanted on outstanding warrants in connection with conspiracy-related charges.

None of the allegations has been proven in court. All accused individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Criminal Code And Drug Law Context

Police described the charges as drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and conspiracy-related. The specific charge counts for each accused were not provided in the release.

Under section 5 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking are prohibited for controlled substances. For Schedule I or II substances, the maximum penalty available to a court is life imprisonment. Cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl are controlled substances under the federal drug law framework.

Proceeds of crime offences can include possession of property obtained by crime under sections 354 and 355 of the Criminal Code. Where the value is more than $5,000, the maximum penalty on indictment is 10 years in prison. Where the value is $5,000 or less, the maximum on indictment is two years.

Laundering proceeds of crime under section 462.31 of the Criminal Code applies to dealing with property or proceeds with intent to conceal or convert criminal proceeds. The maximum penalty is 10 years on indictment, rising to 14 years where the offence is for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization.

Criminal organization offences under sections 467.11 to 467.13 of the Criminal Code carry serious penalties. Participation in a criminal organization can carry up to five years, committing an indictable offence for a criminal organization can carry up to 14 years, and instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization can carry a maximum of life imprisonment. Sentences for these offences are to be served consecutively to other punishment arising from the same event.

Conspiracy under section 465 of the Criminal Code generally ties punishment to the offence that was allegedly planned. For conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, the maximum penalty can be the same as the penalty available for the underlying offence.

Sentencing depends on the offence, the facts proven in court, the role of each offender, prior record, aggravating and mitigating factors, guilty pleas, rehabilitation prospects, public safety and the principles of denunciation and deterrence. Large-scale trafficking involving fentanyl, firearms, organized crime or cross-border movement can expose convicted offenders to lengthy federal penitentiary sentences, but courts decide sentence only after conviction or a guilty plea.

Why This Matters In Thunder Bay And Northwestern Ontario

The Northwestern Ontario connection is significant because Thunder Bay, Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances sit along major highway, rail and border-linked transportation corridors. Organized crime investigations often focus on how drugs move through those corridors into regional communities, including remote and northern areas where addiction, housing pressures and limited health resources can intensify harm.

The seizure of fentanyl is especially concerning. Even relatively small amounts can produce significant community risk because of its potency and its role in overdose deaths across Canada. Methamphetamine and cocaine distribution also places pressure on policing, emergency medical services, courts, treatment providers and community outreach organizations.

For Northwestern Ontario, the case highlights the importance of interagency policing between municipal services, OPP units, federal agencies and financial intelligence investigators. It also underlines the need for prevention, treatment, recovery supports and community safety strategies alongside enforcement.

Investigation File Numbers

Winnipeg police listed the investigation under file numbers R24-1098 and R25-2397.