Within a span of a week, officers with the RCMP Traffic Services Roving Patrol unit seized a significant amount of drugs and cash during two separate traffic stops.
On July 28, 2022, at approximately 2:25pm, an officer was on patrol in the RM of Portage la Prairie when he stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 1. The investigation led to the arrest of the 23-year-old male driver, from Calgary, who was found to have a warrant of arrest out of BC. He was arrested without incident and placed into the police vehicle.
Police say that the traffic stop led to the search of the vehicle where the officer located nearly $28,000 in cash. Subsequently, the accused was held in custody and later returned to BC to face previous charges. He was released on the Manitoba charge of possession of proceeds of crime for a court date scheduled in October.
On August 4, 2022, at approximately 7:15pm, an officer was on patrol in the RM of North Norfolk when he stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 1. The investigation in this incident led to the arrest of the 23-year-old male driver, from Brampton, under the Excise Act and the search of the vehicle led to the discovery of four kilograms of a substance believed to be opium.
RCMP report that Ritesh Gupta was remanded into custody and later released for a future court date on a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services Roving Patrol unit continues to investigate these incidents.
