During the three day period of March 10 to March 12, 2023, Manitoba North District RCMP conducted an initiative along the winter roads to disrupt and deter the bootlegging of alcohol and other contraband goods that enter many of the northern communities.
RCMP officers from Wabowden, Cross Lake, Norway House, the North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), Traffic Services and the Roving Traffic Unit conducted patrols along Highway 6, Highway 373, and the winter roads leading to Island Lake, God’s Lake Narrows, and their associated communities.
The initiative led to the significant seizure of liquor, including 26 bottles from one vehicle. Also, 75 tickets were issued for various Highway Traffic Act offences, four warrants of arrest were executed, one driver was charged with impaired driving and one person was charged with trafficking under the Cannabis Act.
The Manitoba RCMP is committed to working with First Nation communities that have enacted by-laws to prohibit the sale and possession of alcohol and have asked to make enforcement a priority. These enforcement actions will continue as per the expressed wishes of community leadership.
