4 charged, 2 wanted in connection to drug trafficking in Winnipeg

Winnipeg police have charged several people who are believed to be involved in drug trafficking within the city.

WPS says in the morning of Dec. 11, investigators reportedly noticed two people in a 2004 Jeep Compass go to a storage locker along Notre Dame Avenue. When they tried to conduct a traffic stop, the Jeep fled.

While fleeing police, the Jeep hit several vehicles in the intersection of Sargent Avenue and Edmonton Street, including a school bus with its safety lights activated. Police note that no injuries were reported.

A short time later, the Jeep was found unoccupied in a parking lot along St. James Street.

Searching the Jeep, officers were able to find and seize 13.3 grams of fentanyl.

Around 10:22 a.m., police were able to take a 42-year-old man into custody while he was leaving his home. After he was taken into custody, police found and seized the following items:

• 327 grams of cocaine;
• 190 grams of methamphetamine;
• 103 grams of fentanyl;
• Illegal cigarettes (Total 240 individual cigarettes); and
• A contaminated functioning scale.

Just over 20 minutes later, officers then executed a search warrant at the storage locker along Notre Dame Avenue and a second one along Spence Street.

During both searches, officers were able to find and seize the following:

• A .22LR calibre rifle;
• Two (2) detachable magazines for the above GSG-16 rifle, loaded with a single round of .22LR ammunition;
• Fentanyl – 545 grams (estimated street value – $163,500);
• Methamphetamine –327 grams (estimated street value – $32,700);
• Cocaine – 232 grams (estimated street value – $23,200);
• T3 pills;
• Approximately 19,400 illegal cigarettes (estimated street value – $19,640);
• Drug packaging materials and paraphernalia;
• Two (2) previously reported stolen saxophones and two (2) stolen guitars valued at $6589 (C24-113180); and
• $25,745 Canadian Currency

As a result, police were able to identify six people believed to be involved, taking four of whom into custody, while two others remain at large and are believed to be armed and dangerous.

Police say the two still at large are the two who fled in the Jeep, and have been identified as 47-year-old Cory Kozmenski and 41-year-old Kevan Anderson.

Kozmenski is wanted on 23 drug trafficking, firearms, and additional court breach offences, while Anderson is wanted for 13 drug trafficking, firearms, and additional court breach offences.

WPS have also charged a 42-year-old man, a 26-year-old man, a 46-year-old woman, and a 32-year-old woman with possession of a scheduled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by a crime over $5,000, and trafficking contraband tobacco.

The 32-year-old is also facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, and storing a firearm contrary to regulations.

Police are asking if anyone knows the whereabouts of either Kozmenski or Anderson to call 911 immediately.