Project Dolar: 67 charges against 13 people in Manitoba gun and drug bust
Manitoba RCMP and Winkler Police dismantled a trafficking network after a 19-month probe, seizing 8 kg of cocaine, 13 handguns and four vehicles worth $110,000.
'Project Dolar' dismantles southern Manitoba drug and weapons network
Sixty-seven charges have been laid against 13 people from 10 different Manitoba communities following a 19-month collaborative investigation into drug and weapons trafficking, Global News Crime reports.
The probe, dubbed "Project Dolar" by police, targeted trafficking activity across several southern Manitoba communities. Officers from the Manitoba RCMP and the Winkler Police Service jointly led the investigation, which resulted in the seizure of eight kilograms of cocaine, 13 restricted handguns and four vehicles used for trafficking — with a combined value of $110,000.
The investigation began in December 2024 after Winkler police contacted the RCMP for support. Winkler officers had learned that multiple kilograms of cocaine were expected to be imported through a local business, Supt. Jeff Asmundson with the RCMP's Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team told reporters at a news conference Tuesday.
"The operation expanded in size and scope," Asmundson said, adding that the investigation evolved to include other drug types and the network's ties to illegal weapons trafficking.
Beyond the cocaine, officers seized 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin — commonly known as magic mushrooms — 44 non-restricted firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, 228 cartons of unstamped tobacco and $4,500 in cash. Three of the 13 restricted handguns were confirmed to have been illegally trafficked.
Residential and commercial properties in Winkler, the RM of Stuartburn, Thornhill, La Rivière and McCreary were searched as part of the project.
Among those charged is a 29-year-old man from Carman, Manitoba, who faces 29 charges — including cocaine trafficking and three counts of firearm trafficking. He has been in custody since February, after RCMP traffic services stopped his vehicle and found two kilograms of cocaine and a prohibited handgun. Asmundson described him as a mid-to-high level player within the organized crime group.
Charges remain pending against two Winnipeg men, aged 38 and 35, arrested on suspicion of conspiring to traffic cocaine.
Fifteen people have been arrested in total, with 13 charged so far. Police expect additional arrests and further charges to follow.
"I think we've definitely shut this network down, for now," Asmundson said, while acknowledging that drug trafficking would continue. "We did make a definite dent, especially in that corner of the province."
Manitoba's Minister of Justice Matt Wiebe attended Tuesday's news conference and noted that communities of all sizes are being affected by the drug and gun trade. Pointing to the seized firearms on display, Wiebe said: "Each one of these firearms represents a danger to the communities that they came from."
"I know this is just one of many, but this is a significant bust," the minister added.
Source: Global News Crime