Bust of alleged criminal drug network nets 14 arrests, millions in drugs, jewelry, guns and vehicles

Police allege a "well-entrenched" criminal network,responsible for multiple firearms offences across the country,trafficked millions of dollars worth of illicit drugs and firearms into Winnipeg from Toronto.

The network used couriers, railways,bus lines and airlinesto move the items,Insp. Elton Hall of the Winnipeg Police Service's organized crime unit alleged at a news conference on Wednesday.

So far, 14 people have beencharged with offences related to organized crime, drug trafficking, possession of firearms, proceeds of crimeand laundering proceeds of crime.

Of those, nine are from Winnipeg, two from Vancouver and three from Ontario.

Several others were arrested and released without charges, but investigations are continuing and charges are expected to be laid against many of those people, all of whom are in Winnipeg, Hall said.

The investigation started afterpolice seized more than $600,000in cash from luggage at Winnipeg's airport in March 2022.

It expanded to the other provinces a year later andeventually led to 22 searches in a sweep throughManitoba, Ontario and British Columbia in March 2024.

The following items were seized:

• $1.7 million in Canadian cash.
• 30 kilograms of cocaine (police-estimated street value of $3 million).
• Four handguns (including two that were 3D printed).
• One submachine gun with a suppressor.
• Loaded magazines and ammunition.
• 75 kilograms of cutting agent.
• Hydraulic cocaine press/moulds.
• 12 vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce valued at $450,000, four Mercedes, two BMWs and a Lexus. (Three of the vehicles had custom-made concealment compartments.)
• A Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
• Approximately $4 million in proceeds of crime jewelry, vehicles andmerchandise.

"We are currently investigating the opportunity to claw back a $200,000 deposit for aLamborghini,"Hall said.

Investigators also allege the network was involved in sex trafficking, extortion and fraud-related offences.

"This aspect of the investigation is ongoing."

Hall said he couldn't discuss those matters at the moment.

"When you conduct an organized crime investigation or an investigation involving these networks of people across the country, as soon as you start following money and watching where money is going and how it's being transferred, and the amounts being transferred, you can quickly determine that you probably have a problem here with A) human trafficking orB)sex trafficking, and you have to look into it further," he said.

"This is a high-level overview of a very complex financial and criminal investigation."

Hall saidmultiple police services and agencies were involved in the investigation, dubbedSoft Landing.

Those included the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC),Brandon Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Hamilton Police Service,Peel Regional Police Service, Toronto Police Service, HaltonRegional Police Service,Vancouver Police Service,Via Rail Canada Police Service and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the province provided $230,000 to support the investigation.

"[Criminal networks] bring havoc, they bring harm, they bring toxic drugs to our communities, and they must be stopped," he said.

14 arrests made after Winnipeg police bust criminal network

5 months ago

Duration 2:42

Police allege a "well-entrenched" criminal network, responsible for multiple firearms offences across the country, trafficked millions of dollars worth of illicit drugs and firearms into Winnipeg from Toronto.