Winnipeg police seize over $8M in drugs and firearm operation

Over $8 million in drugs and equipment have been seized and a dozen arrests were made by Winnipeg Police during Operation Phoenix.

Winnipeg Police provided an update Thursday, saying the initial investigation into firearms trafficking that began in May 2021, developed into a major drug operation.

Over the summer with help from the Edmonton Police Service Gang Enforcement Unit, the Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, the RCMP Organized Crime Unit, the ATF, Canada Border Services and the Correctional Services of Canada, and FINTRAC – The WPS was able to make twelve arrests in Winnipeg, Edmonton and the Greater Toronto Area.

WPS said methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and contraband were among the drugs being smuggled across the country.

“In total, sixteen search warrants were executed: four in Winnipeg, three in Anola, Manitoba, two at Stony Mountain Penitentiary, four in Alberta, and three in the GTA,” said Winnipeg Police in a statement.

WPS say the seizures included:

• Roughly 40 firearms
• 30 kilograms of methamphetamine ($2.6 million ESV)
• 6 kilograms of fentanyl ($2.75 million ESV)
• 15 kilograms of cocaine ($1.6 million ESV)
• 100 kilograms of marihuana ($500,000 ESV)
• Smaller amounts of heroin, ecstasy, and psilocybin ($330,000 ESV)
• 1 kg of cutting agent ($1,200)
• 11 vehicles, 4 snowmobiles, 3 trailers, Bobcat ($381,000)

Adding numerous bank accounts have been frozen.

Police say of the twelve suspects arrested, two are facing charges related to smuggling large quantities of drugs and contraband into Stony Mountain Penitentiary and Collins Bay Institution through the use of drones. And a total of six have been charged.

All six face charges relating to firearms offences/trafficking, conspiracy or drug trafficking.