Two men from southeastern Manitoba have been arrested for their alleged involvement in what police are calling the largest illicit drug seizure in our province’s history. 

In May 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Organized Crime Unit (OCU) began an investigation into an organized network of individuals that were importing large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into Winnipeg. The drugs were then distributed throughout our province and Northwestern Ontario. Investigators determined that the network was comprised of individuals with international ties associated with the upper echelon of Organized Crime in Canada including the Hells Angels, Wolfpack Alliance, and the Mexican Cartel. This organization was shown to exert significant control over the distribution of illicit commodities within Manitoba and other provinces.

Controlled substances were imported from the United States

The joint operation spanned approximately two years, ending in March 2026, and focused on multiple drug trafficking cells operating under a single umbrella organization believed to be sourcing controlled substances from a national-level supplier. Through this enforcement action, investigators aimed to disrupt and dismantle individual trafficking networks while gathering intelligence related to the higher levels of the criminal organization. The investigation determined that controlled substances were imported from the United States using commercial vehicles and subsequently warehoused in Alberta and Ontario. The drugs were then transported into Manitoba through various methods, including mail services, courier deliveries, commercial transport, and private vehicles equipped with hidden compartments.

Police say as a result of this lengthy investigation, 33 individuals were arrested with 174 drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and conspiracy related charges. Investigators also seized over $37.2 million worth of illicit drugs (estimated street value), 14 firearms, approximately $825,000 in currency, and 1.35 million illegal cigarettes.

The following individuals were arrested for drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and conspiracy-related charges:


Richard Barnecki, 43 yrs of Ile Des Chenes, MB
Gary Benjamin Thompson, 45 yrs of Morris, MB
Bahadur Bobir, 30 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Zubair Mohammad-Zarif, 34 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Samantha Graham, 28 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Christopher Rundle, 44 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
TyrenPetiquan-Landon, 19 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Ronald Zastre, 33 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Tiffany Church, 34 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Matthew Haiko, 46 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Tongun Tongun, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Hothaifa Hassan, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
George McFarlane, 50 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Clinton Netengesic, 36 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Addison Perry, 29 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Daniel Finkbeiner, 38 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Savannah McDougall, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Thomas Barnecki, 45 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Cory Cozmenski, 48 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Carol Dignard, 63 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Norman Leduc, 60 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Connor Abraham, 21 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Mohammed Makhlouf, 23 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Gage Hale, 31 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Seth Driedger, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Shelby Hershfeldt, 39 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Kaleigh Lajoie, 22 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
Braeden Lindsay, 27 yrs of Brandon, MB
Merrick Wieler, 35 yrs of Winkler, MB
Chelsea Mageau, 35 yrs of Edmonton, AB
William Meredith, 25 yrs of Kenora, ONT
Vatana Chao, 35 yrs of Brantford, ONT
Preaktra Chao, 33 yrs of Brantford, ONT

In addition, Ontario Provincial Police in Fort Francis and Dryden Ontario detachments arrested an additional four people related to this project, resulting in the seizure of an additional 26 kilograms of cocaine. 

 

Two additional individuals, Randy Chao and Tyler DeFelice, of Brantford, ONT, are wanted on outstanding warrants in relation to this investigation on conspiracy-related charges.

The following drugs were seized:


339 kilograms (kg) of methamphetamine (estimated wholesale value of $2,710,000/ estimated street value of $16,950,000)
175 kg of cocaine (estimated wholesale value of $4,375,000/ estimated street value of $17,500,000)
11.25 kg of fentanyl (estimated wholesale value of $225,000/ estimated street value of $2,700,000)
An undisclosed quantity of pills
Cannabis marihuana
Cannabis derivatives

Firearms and assets seized included:


12 handguns
one carbine
one shotgun
seven vehicles
1.35 million illegal cigarettes (representing an estimated tax loss of $400,000)