Police arrest 11 people in interprovincial crime network

Almost a dozen people are facing 56 criminal charges between them after police discovered a drug trafficking ring.

At the beginning of the year, the Winnipeg Police Service initiated Project Wonders to investigate drug trafficking between Ontario and Winnipeg. 

Over 100 police officers from the WPS and Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau collectively worked to seize hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of street drugs, and weapons.

Inspector Max Waddell says the group was organized and was a sophisticated operation. 

Police say on October 21 they completed executing nine search warrants, five in Winnipeg and four in Ontario.

During the searches, authorities notably found:

• Approximately $300,000 in Canadian Currency
• 4 Kilograms of Cocaine (Wholesale Value $340,000.00)
• ½ Kilogram of Fentanyl (Wholesale Value $60,000)
• 500 grams of Psilocybin (Wholesale Value $2000.00)
• 10 grams of Ketamine (Wholesale Value $1000.00)
• Loaded Smith & Wesson .45 calibre handgun with five magazines, ammunition
• Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver
• Magazine and ammunition for a 9mm handgun.
• Ballistic Body Armour
• Digital Scales, Digital Money Counters, Drug Packaging Material, Cutting Agents, Vacuum Sealing Equipment, Safe, Documents and Records.
• Numerous mobile communication devices

Police say 11 people were transporting cocaine from southern Ontario to Winnipeg. The drug was trafficked using methods ranging from conventional package delivery services to high-level drug traffickers. The drugs would be shipped to Winnipeg, and cash shipped back to Ontario. Waddell says because the case is before the courts, he could not say which specific delivery companies or methods were used.

Waddell says cocaine is not made in Canada and was imported.

Police have charged:
 
Melissa BARRION, 28, of Winnipeg
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, to wit: Cocaine
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
- Possess Proceeds of Crime
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x 2
- Store Firearm Contrary to Regulations
- Possess Firearm Obtained by Crime
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possess body armour without a valid permit (The Body Armour and Fortified Vehicle Control Act)
 
Allen CHEUNG, 34, of Markham, Ontario
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Cocaine)
 
Steven GRIFFITH, 28, of Winnipeg
- Unlawful Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
- Unlawful Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling

Thanh Xuan MAI, 36, of Maple, Ontario
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Cocaine)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Possess Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
 
Jordan NERY, 33, of Winnipeg
- Assault Cause Bodily Harm
- Utter Threats
- FTC Undertaking
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Prohibited Weapon
- Fail to Comply Court Order x 2
- Fail to Comply Undertaking x 2
 
Julian NERY, 28, of Winnipeg
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine x 2)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance of the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
 
Hong Phong NGUYEN, 34, of North York, Ontario
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Cocaine)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Possess Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
 
Chester ROULETTE, 25, of Winnipeg
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine x 3)
- Possess Proceeds of Crime Under $5000
- Possession of a Prohibited Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition Contrary to a Prohibition Order
 
Brandon SADIUA, 28, of Winnipeg
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine x 4)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Crack Cocaine)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
- Possess Proceeds of Crime
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x 2
- Store Firearm Contrary to Regulations
- Possess Firearm Obtained by Crime
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possess body armour without a valid permit (The Body Armour and Fortified Vehicle Control Act)
 
Nyke THORPE, 40, of Winnipeg
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Cocaine)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Possess Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance to wit: Cocaine
- Trafficking Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Possess Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
- Use a forged document: Driver's License
- Mischief Under $5000
 
Trung Hieu TRAN, 33, of Vaughn, Ontario
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Cocaine)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Possess Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (Trafficking Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000

Julian and Jordan have a relation, but Waddell says can not share what the relation is.

Waddell says they do not typically name suspects in large-organized crime operations but decided to do so in this instance.

 "This exceptional result demonstrates our ability as law enforcement and prosecutions to work collectively to detect, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations through targeted, proactive intelligence-led enforcement. The success of this investigation should be a reminder to those who wish to participate in organized crime that justice shall be served," the WPS says in a statement.

The WPS is thanking the Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, FINTRAC, numerous WPS units, including the Organized Crime Unit, Guns and Gangs Unit, Tactical Support Unit, Drug Enforcement Unit, Technological Surveillance Unit, Affiant Unit, FIAS Unit, Canine and Uniform Operations for their contributions. 

 
They say those with information on organized crime can anonymously contact crime stoppers at 204 786 8477 (Tips) or visit www.winnipegcrimestoppers.org.