After three months of investigating, the Manitoba RCMP have arrested one man and seized $1.5 million in illicit drugs and cash.
The high-level drug trafficking investigation was part of Project Deepwater. It was led by the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team (MILET) and used various investigative methods.
They found that a Winnipeg man was distributing large amounts of cocaine to support drug trafficking activities throughout Manitoba.
Agencies teamed up to make the arrest on Feb. 5, including MILET, the Winnipeg Police Service Tactical Support Team, the Selkirk General Investigation Section and the RCMP Roving Traffic Unit. They had an arrest warrant for two residential addresses in Winnipeg’s Amber Gates neighbourhood.
Officers located 7,000 pills disguised as pain management medication. Afterward, a lab analysis determined the pills were a mix of heroin and medetomidine, which is a veterinary sedative that creates a potent and dangerous drug combination that increases risks for users.
Police officers also seized:
Nine kilograms of cocaine;
Four kilograms of illicit marijuana;
28 grams of crack cocaine;
$87,000 in cash; and
Trafficking paraphernalia, including a money counter and a large processing press.
“Project Deepwater has significantly impacted the work of a inter-provincial network operating in this province and stopped very dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, commanding officer of the Manitoba RCMP. “These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to protecting the safety and security of all Manitobans.”
Thirty-five-year-old Anthony Tran was arrested and taken into custody. Tran is being charged with:
Possession for the purpose of trafficking x2; and
Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.
While the investigation is ongoing, Tran’s court date is set in Winnipeg for March 26.