Twelve arrested, including former city council candidate; weapons and drugs

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This article was published 11/12/2014 (4273 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RCMP have arrested 12 people and are looking for two more after a 15-month investigation across four provinces.

Called Project Distress, the investigation culminated on Wednesday with raids at five Winnipeg houses, one in the RM of MacDonald and one in B.C.

Winnipeg police Supt. Danny Smythe said the goal wasn’t so much seizing drugs but “catching and preventing organized crime from becoming established”.

More than 200 officers did seize six kilograms of cocaine, eight kilograms of methamphetamine and small quantities of other drugs.

As well, $70,000 in cash was seized as well as three handguns and 17 long guns.

Among the people charged was recent losing Transcona city councillor candidate Ray Ulasy, 50, with two counts of firearms trafficking.

Police said the investigation also included the court-ordered interception of 80,000 communications including phone calls and emails.

Other people charged are Winnipeggers Jason Ong, 28, Ryan Martinez, 24, Marlon Delim, 35, Michael Hidalgo, 32, Reighner Delacruz, 25, Kara Lynn Peralta, 22, and Darren Colomy, 40.

As well, Jared Devloo, 35, of the RM of MacDonald, Randy Baldovi, 31, of Port Coquitlam, BC, Michael Nguyen, 25, of Mississauga, and Alexey Shuster, 27, of Edmonton.

Police are still looking for Sean Demchuk, 31, and Christopher Gordon, 30, both of Winnipeg.
RCMP said more arrests and charges are possible as they continue to investigate.

Kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca