The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters is pictured in Winnipeg, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert)
Winnipeg police say they have increased their presence in neighbourhoods most affected by open drug use and trafficking.
Citing a raise in community complaints over public safety, police said on Friday they have recently ramped up enforcement using geographic crime data and mapping.
So far, the initiative has resulted in 100 interactions with individuals using drugs in public spaces, 25 total arrests — including two specifically related to drug possession or trafficking — and three individuals taken to a protective care centre.
“As a police service, we have a responsibility to address the harm being caused by the drug trade,” police said in a statement. “We remain committed to targeting those who profit from addiction — those who traffic illicit substances and contribute to the cycle of harm.”
Police say the strategy is not aimed at criminalizing addiction. While the goal is to deter and reduce open drug use and disrupt trafficking to make public spaces safer, individuals struggling with addiction will be offered connections to social supports and partner agencies.
Watch Friday’s news conference:
