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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Controlled substances were imported from the United States<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The following individuals were arrested for drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and conspiracy-related charges:<\/p>\n
\n\tRichard Barnecki, 43 yrs of Ile Des Chenes, MB
\n\tGary Benjamin Thompson, 45 yrs of Morris, MB
\n\tBahadur Bobir, 30 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tZubair Mohammad-Zarif, 34 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tSamantha Graham, 28 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tChristopher Rundle, 44 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tTyrenPetiquan-Landon, 19 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tRonald Zastre, 33 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tTiffany Church, 34 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tMatthew Haiko, 46 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tTongun Tongun, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tHothaifa Hassan, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tGeorge McFarlane, 50 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tClinton Netengesic, 36 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tAddison Perry, 29 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tDaniel Finkbeiner, 38 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tSavannah McDougall, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tThomas Barnecki, 45 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tCory Cozmenski, 48 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tCarol Dignard, 63 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tNorman Leduc, 60 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tConnor Abraham, 21 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tMohammed Makhlouf, 23 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tGage Hale, 31 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tSeth Driedger, 24 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tShelby Hershfeldt, 39 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tKaleigh Lajoie, 22 yrs of Winnipeg, MB
\n\tBraeden Lindsay, 27 yrs of Brandon, MB
\n\tMerrick Wieler, 35 yrs of Winkler, MB
\n\tChelsea Mageau, 35 yrs of Edmonton, AB
\n\tWilliam Meredith, 25 yrs of Kenora, ONT
\n\tVatana Chao, 35 yrs of Brantford, ONT
\n\tPreaktra Chao, 33 yrs of Brantford, ONT
<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nTwo additional individuals, Randy Chao and Tyler DeFelice, of Brantford, ONT, are wanted on outstanding warrants in relation to this investigation on conspiracy-related charges.<\/p>\n
The following drugs were seized:<\/p>\n
\n\t339 kilograms (kg) of methamphetamine (estimated wholesale value of $2,710,000\/ estimated street value of $16,950,000)
\n\t175 kg of cocaine (estimated wholesale value of $4,375,000\/ estimated street value of $17,500,000)
\n\t11.25 kg of fentanyl (estimated wholesale value of $225,000\/ estimated street value of $2,700,000)
\n\tAn undisclosed quantity of pills
\n\tCannabis marihuana
\n\tCannabis derivatives
<\/p>\n
Firearms and assets seized included:<\/p>\n
\n\t12 handguns
\n\tone carbine
\n\tone shotgun
\n\tseven vehicles
\n\t1.35 million illegal cigarettes (representing an estimated tax loss of $400,000)
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