Former city council candidate Ray Ulasy has been charged in Project Distress. (HANDOUT)
WINNIPEG — A former city council candidate is among 14 people arrested and charged in a joint RCMP and police investigation involving drug trafficking and weapons offences.
Raymond Paul Ulasy, 50, is charged in a 15-month long investigation by police agencies spanning four different provinces and involving more than 200 officers called Project Distress.
Ulasy, who was defeated by incumbent Transcona councillor Russ Wyatt in October, faces two counts of firearms trafficking. His home was raided by police on Wednesday as part of the investigation.
Project Distress targeted high-level drug trafficking and organized crime activities in Manitoba, with connections to Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
The investigation began in October 2013, resulting in the seizures of more than six kilograms of cocaine, eight kilograms of methamphetamine, and smaller quantities of dilaudid, steroids, oxycodone, percocet, and cannabis marihuana. Police also seized in excess of $70,000 in cash, three handguns, 17 long barrelled guns, and ammunition were also seized during the investigation.
Two arrest warrants remain outstanding for two men — Sean Frederick Demchuk, 31, of Winnipeg and Christopher Houston Gordon, 30 of Winnipeg. Anyone with knowledge on their whereabouts is asked to contact their local police agency.
