In a significant blow to organized crime, a collaborative investigation by the Manitoba RCMP and the Winkler Police Service has led to the dismantling of a major drug and gun trafficking network in southern Manitoba. The operation, codenamed Project Dolor spanned 19 months and resulted in the seizure of a substantial amount of illegal substances, firearms, and vehicles.
The investigation began in when Winkler Police contacted the RCMP for support after learning that multiple kilograms of cocaine were expected to be imported through a local business. What started as a focused operation quickly expanded in scope as investigators uncovered a complex network involved in the trafficking of various drugs and illegal firearms.
The Scope of Project Dolor
Project Dolor was a massive undertaking that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and resulted in the seizure of eight kilograms of cocaine2.5 kilograms of psilocybin13 restricted handguns (three of which were illegally trafficked), 44 non-restricted firearms thousands of rounds of ammunition, four vehicles worth $110,000, 228 cartons of unstamped tobacco, and $4,500 in cash.
The operation extended across several communities in southern Manitoba, including Winkler, the RM of Stuartburn, Thornhill, La Rivière, and McCreary. Residential and commercial properties were searched, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals from 10 different communities.
Key Arrests and Charges
Among those arrested was a 29-year-old man from Carman who is facing 29 charges, including trafficking cocaine and three counts of firearm trafficking. He has been in custody since February after RCMP traffic services found two kilograms of cocaine and a prohibited handgun in his vehicle during a traffic stop. He is believed to have been a mid-to-high level player within the organized crime group.
Charges are still pending against two Winnipeg men, aged 38 and 35, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to traffic cocaine. The investigation also led to the arrest of individuals from various communities, including Manitou, La Rivière, Thornhill, Stuartburn, Winnipeg, Morden, Winkler, Notre Dame de Lourdes, and McCreary.
The Impact of Project Dolor
Supt. Jeff Asmundson of the RCMP’s Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team noted that while the operation has made a significant impact, the demand for illegal substances will likely lead to other traffickers trying to fill the void. “We did make a definite dent, especially in that corner of the province,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the fight against drug and gun trafficking.
Manitoba’s Minister of Justice, Matt Wiebe, highlighted the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in tackling organized crime. “Each one of these firearms represents a danger to the communities that they came from,” he said, pointing to the guns seized by police that were on display at the news conference.
Police expect to make additional arrests and for more charges to be laid in connection with Project Dolor. The operation serves as a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in disrupting criminal networks and keeping communities safe.
