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 airlines to 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 been charged with offences related to organized crime, drug trafficking, possession of firearms, proceeds of crime and 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.
Approximately $4 million in alleged proceeds of crime — jewelry, vehicles and merchandise — were seized by police. (Corentin Mittet-Magnan/Radio-Canada)
The investigation started after police seized more than $600,000 in cash from luggage at Winnipeg’s airport in March 2022.
It expanded to the other provinces a year later and eventually led to 22 searches in a sweep through Manitoba, 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 and merchandise.
“We are currently investigating the opportunity to claw back a $200,000 deposit for a Lamborghini,” Hall said.
Investigators also allege the network was involved in sex trafficking, extortion and fraud-related offences.
“This aspect of the investigation is ongoing.”
Police provided this image of a Rolls Royce with a hidden compartment for concealing drugs. (Travis Golby/CBC)
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 or B) 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.”
Insp. Elton Hall speaks to reporters during Wednesday’s news conference. (Travis Golby/CBC)
Hall said multiple police services and agencies were involved in the investigation, dubbed Soft 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, Halton Regional 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
16 hours 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.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
