Winnipeg in grips of meth problem, say police

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This article was published 27/08/2017 (2974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Methamphetamine addiction has “gripped the city,” a Winnipeg police spokesman said Sunday

“I would say the majority of property crime in the city is related to the methamphetamine subculture,” Const. Jay Murray said.

“As well, we’ve started to see violent crimes now too. We see people commit robberies or commercial break and enters to fuel this addiction.”

Murray’s remarks came during a Sunday press conference where a recent arrest of a man in possession of methamphetamine was discussed.

Winnipeg police responded to reports of a man “prowling around yards” in the area of Marion Street and Dawson Road Saturday morning. The man was stopped by police on the 200 block of Goulet Street while riding a bicycle.

After providing police with a false name, he was identified as a person wanted on two arrest warrants.

The man was carrying a number of different items known for break-ins, including a headlamp, vice-grips, and wire and bolt cutters. Also in his possession was a small amount of methamphetamine and a razor blade protruding from a wrapped bandage, which police believe was a weapon.

“I think it was very obvious he was looking to break into vehicles or garages, likely to fuel an addiction. This is yet another example of what methamphetamine is doing to the city,” Murray said, adding a large amount of the crime he regularly speaks about is connected with methamphetamine, and often when police arrest people with stolen property, they also have meth on them.

Seven years ago, crack cocaine was more prevalent than meth, but now police are seeing meth “everywhere,” although it isn’t clear if there’s been a switch to the drug or if there are just more drugs in the city, Murray said.

“It’s gotten easier to make… and now it’s very likely that methamphetamine can be produced in the city,” he said.

Tyler Perry David Gauthier, 38, of Selkirk has been charged with 12 offences, including possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon and possession of break-in instruments.

He remains in custody.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca