Sample of marijuana seized by police during a long-term investigation.
The Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force (MIOCTF), along with over 80 police officers, made numerous arrests and conducted searches as part of a long-term investigation known as Project DEPLETE.
Law enforcement agencies from Manitoba, including the Winnipeg Police Service, the RCMP and the Brandon Police Service, participated in this large scale take-down.
Project DEPLETE was initiated in August 2011 and focused on high level independent drug traffickers operating in the City of Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.
Numerous search and arrest warrants have been executed and 13 people from Manitoba and Alberta have been charged with Possess Proceeds of Crime and Drug Trafficking.
During the investigation, police made several drug seizures including: 6912 grams of cocaine, 465 grams of “crack” cocaine, 272 grams of methamphetamine, 9,811 tablets of ecstasy, 1063 grams of MDMA, 501 tablets of oxycodone and 891 grams of marijuana.
The street value of the drugs seized is estimated at just over 1 million dollars.
All persons arrested will be appearing in Winnipeg court on February 6, 2012.
The Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force continues to investigate. Additional arrests and charges are contemplated pending further investigation.
