From left to right: Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen, Mayor Brian Bowman, RCMP ‘D’ Division Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody, and Winnipeg police Inspector Max Waddell, show off items seized as part of Project Riverbank, Thursday, November 1, 2018. (RCMP)
A 10-month-long investigation by Winnipeg police and partner law enforcement agencies in western Canada has resulted in a $2.7 million seizure of drugs, vehicles and cash.
Project Riverbank dismantled an inter-provincial drug network made up of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and ketamine.
Police showed off seized items Thursday at a Manitoba Public Insurance garage on Plessis Road, including a number of high-end vehicles.
Officers concluded their investigation on October 18, where 16 search warrants were executed across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Eight homes were searched in Winnipeg, four in Regina, one in Edmonton and three properties in lower mainland B.C.
“There is no doubt that these arrests and seizures will have a substantial impact on the flow of drugs into this province and throughout our country,” said RCMP assistant commissioned Scott Kolody, commanding officer of RCMP “D” Division.
Ten people were arrested and 156 charges laid related to conspiracy and trafficking of a controlled substance, firearms, and proceeds of crime.
More than 300 officers were involved with Project Riverbank, including 158 Winnipeg police members and 35 RCMP officers.
In Manitoba, police seized:
| Firearms | |
| Walther P99 9mm semi-automatic handgun and ammunition | |
| Drugs seized in MB: | |
| 3 kg methamphetamine | $105,000 |
| 11 kg cocaine | $660,000 |
| 2 kg ketamine | $14,000 |
| 6 oz heroin | $42,000 |
| 4.5 lb marijuana | $9,000 |
| 21 kg of cutting agent | $14,700 |
| 20 oxycodone pills | $800 |
| Total street value drugs seized | $845,500 |
| Vehicles seized in MB: | |
| 2019 Volvo tractor | $266,000 |
| 2018 Ford F450 | $91,000 |
| 2013 construction trailer | $7,500 |
| 2002 Subaru | $3,500 |
| 2010 Honda Civic | $4,500 |
| 2011 BMW 328xi | $10,000 |
| 2014 Chevrolet Camaro | $16,000 |
| 2013 Nissan Sentra | $6,000 |
| Value of vehicles seized | $404,500 |
Drugs and vehicles seized in Saskatchewan accounted for $72,500, while seizures in Alberta yielded $27,000. Seizures in B.C. didn’t turn up drugs, but officers located $250,000 in cash and $966,000 in vehicles.
The overall $2.7 million seizure accounts for $899,260 in seized drugs, $1.4 million worth of vehicles and $378,740 in cash.
“This investigation demonstrates the ability of the WPS Organized Crime Division to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutions to detect, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations,” police said in a release.
Following items seized after drug trafficking network is dismantled: 11kg of Cocaine, 3kg of Meth, 2kg of Ketamine & 8 vehicles in MB. 1kg of Meth & 2 vehicles in SK. 11 vehicles in BC. Vehicle & $$ in AB. @wpgpolice, #rcmpmb, @BCRCMP, @edmontonpolice, @reginapolice all involved pic.twitter.com/SInFV6uGU9
— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) November 1, 2018
The following was seized as a result of the project:
Semi-automatic handgun and ammo
$899,260 – street value of drugs seized
$1,408,500 – value of vehicles seized
$378,740 in cash pic.twitter.com/d6wB7k4x1N— Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) November 1, 2018
