On February 3, 2011, at about 10:30am, Gimli RCMP as well as local Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle fire on Highway 8 near Minerva Road in the RM of Gimli, Manitoba.
On arrival, Police and Firefighters located a cube style rental truck on the side of the highway with smoke coming from the cargo area.
After firefighters extinguished the blaze, it was discovered that the truck was being utilized to transport a quantity of marijuana plants. Investigation revealed that the fire had started as a result of a propane heater being used in the cargo area of the truck.
A male was observed by police to be leaving the scene of the fire, and was subsequently arrested.
The value of the drugs seized is estimated to be approximately $40,000.
A 39-year-old man from Winnipeg is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, as well as driving while prohibited. He has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in Gimli Provincial Court on May 2nd, 2011.
Police continue to investigate.
