Thirty-three individuals have been apprehended, and over $37.2 million worth of cocaine, meth, and fentanyl have been confiscated in what the Winnipeg police describe as the most extensive drug seizure in Manitoba’s history. Those detained allegedly have ties to prominent organized crime groups in Canada, such as the Hells Angels, Wolfpack Alliance, and a Mexican cartel, as per the police.
According to Winnipeg law enforcement, the arrested individuals face a total of 174 charges related to drug trafficking, proceeds of crime, and conspiracy. During a press briefing on Wednesday, the police also revealed the seizure of 14 firearms (including 12 handguns, one carbine, and one shotgun), around $825,000 in cash, and 1.35 million illegal cigarettes.
The investigation, dubbed Project Puma, was initiated in May 2024 to target a network involved in importing substantial quantities of drugs into Winnipeg. The drugs were then distributed across Manitoba and into northwestern Ontario. The seized controlled substances included 339 kilograms of methamphetamine, 175 kilograms of cocaine, and 11.25 kilograms of fentanyl, alongside an undisclosed amount of pills, marijuana, and cannabis derivatives.
Furthermore, seven vehicles were impounded during the operation. Winnipeg police Inspector Josh Ewatski disclosed that the drugs were smuggled from the United States inside commercial trucks, stored mainly in Alberta and Ontario, and then transported into Manitoba through various means, including mail, courier services, and vehicles equipped with hidden compartments.
Ewatski stated that multiple drug trafficking cells operated under a single overarching organization that sourced drugs from a national supplier. He refrained from disclosing the specific organization or supplier due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Several of the arrested individuals have pleaded guilty, receiving sentences ranging from three to 16 years.
The crackdown on the drug network sends a strong message against organized crime, remarked Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe during the news conference. Winnipeg police Deputy Chief Cam Mackid emphasized the detrimental impact of the drug trade on various criminal activities and societal issues, ranging from homicides and gang violence to health care and social services burdens.
The investigation involved collaboration among various agencies, including FINTRAC, Ontario Provincial Police, and police units in Alberta and Toronto. Ewatski highlighted the evolving nature of criminal networks, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts across jurisdictions to combat such threats effectively.
In addition to the 33 arrests linked to the investigation, the Ontario Provincial Police made four more arrests in Fort Frances and Dryden, seizing an additional 26 kilograms of cocaine. Investigators are still pursuing two individuals, Randy Chao and Tyler DeFelice of Brantford, Ontario, on conspiracy charges related to the case.