Police are anticipating more arrests in addition to their current total of seven after a drug trafficking investigation in Western Manitoba communities.

RCMP Manitoba says "a multitude of drug and firearm-related offences" are being laid against seven people after a tri-force raid Tuesday. Manitoba RCMP, Brandon Police Service, and Rivers Police Service combined forces to execute search warrants in Brandon locations as well as in Riverdale Municipality.

They say they were searching for controlled substances after a seven-month-long investigation into the group they believe has ties to British Columbia. Project DEBRIS is dismantling of a drug trafficking network that they say is directly responsible for supplying controlled substances to people in western Manitoba and Brandon.

"MOCU, with the assistance of Brandon Police Service, Rivers Police Service, Manitoba RCMP East and West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Teams, and the Portage La Prairie RCMP General Investigation Section, simultaneously executed seven search warrants at various locations in the City of Brandon, and the Riverdale Municipality.," RCMP Manitoba says in a statement.

Manitoba Organized Crime Unit, MOCU, focuses on criminal organizations and street gangs.

"It is also focussed on disrupting the trafficking of weapons and high risk-controlled substances (including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl) within Manitoba."

Officers found evidence of high-level drug trafficking, an undisclosed quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, 14 firearms, and $17,000 dollars. Authorities seized several motorcycles they say were proceeds of crime. They also found a Honda Goldwing motorcycle stolen from British Columbia.

Seven individuals have been arrested with charges laid, and five more have warrants out for their arrests. RCMP Manitoba says to expect more arrests to be announced in the future related to Friday's announcement.

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