Police shut down trafficking ring, seize drugs and guns

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This article was published 12/03/2025 (226 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police have busted a criminal network that targeted small cities and First Nations in Manitoba in a drug and guns trafficking scheme.

Winnipeg police, with the help of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service and RCMP, took down a “sophisticated” gang network after a nine-month investigation revealed multiple suspects were trafficking drugs from Toronto to Manitoba communities.

“These individuals were profiting off of these communities by selling cocaine, methamphetamine, hydromorphone and MDMA,” Winnipeg Police Service Insp. Josh Ewatski said at a news conference Wednesday to discuss Project Lowkey.

“Organized crime members from Ontario and Toronto are coming here because they know that they can come into these communities who are vulnerable in many ways, and prey off their vulnerabilities. Their sole purpose there is to make money off these people.”

The probe began in April 2024 after officers in Winnipeg received information about a suspected trafficking operation, Ewatski said.

The illicit drugs were transported to Winnipeg and distributed throughout the province, including in Portage la Prairie, The Pas, Thompson and several First Nations communities — Sandy Bay, Tataskweyak, Norway House and Nelson House.

The group transported the drugs via airplanes, trains, off-road vehicles, boats, the mail service and vehicles with custom-made compartments to transport drugs. The group also operated in the Yukon, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Criminals used fake IDs to travel and open bank accounts to access money to fund the operation, Ewatski said.

In larger cities, the criminals used hotel rooms and Airbnbs to establish their drug operations and store drugs and firearms. They would move into northern and First Nation communities by collaborating with, and eventually taking over, established drug networks.

On Jan. 31, police executed 11 search warrants throughout Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Officers seized about 25,000 hydromorphone pills, 10 kilograms of cocaine, 5 kilograms of methamphetamine and other drugs with an estimated street value of about $891,000.

They also found $280,000 in cash, seven handguns with loaded, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and three vehicles.

Nine people have been arrested and five remain at large. One suspect who was apprehended in Saskatchewan was found to be wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for first-degree murder and attempted murder. Two suspects had murder convictions.

Investigators believe drugs were transported to Sandy Bay before they were broken down and then taken to other communities, said MFNPS Insp. Derek Beach.

“We know, for the most part, drugs are coming into these First Nation communities from the city of Winnipeg or larger urban centres,” he said, adding MFNP is training more officers to combat drug-related crime.

Officers are also working with First Nations community members to be more proactive in recognizing individuals that do not belong in the community who could be linked to drugs and gang activity.

Indigenous leaders have called on officials to address addiction issues in northern and First Nations communities. Some communities have given groups the authority to search vehicles, luggage and homes for illegal drugs and alcohol.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe called the bust “substantial” and said he expects the federal government’s $1.3 billion to bolster border security will hurt the national illegal drug trade.

“We expect that some of those resources will ultimately be a net benefit for us,” Wiebe said.

Wiebe hinted at more resources and funding for First Nations communities who sign on to be policed by MFNPS.

Three people who either live in or have lived in Manitoba were among the nine arrested.

Mohamed Abduikadir, 25, of Winnipeg and 19-year-old James Spence of Sandy Bay are both charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Nisar Hashimi, 35, who was described as a resident of both Manitoba and the Greater Toronto Area, is charged with the same three counts and 10 firearms offences.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca