Southwestern Manitoba drug trafficking ring busted after 7-month investigation: Brandon police
Project Belittle leads to 5 arrests, seizure of about $163K worth of drugs, police say
A drug trafficking ring that distributed large amounts of cocaine in southwestern Manitoba has been busted after a months-long investigation, Brandon police say.
The investigation, named Project Belittle, took place between March and October of 2023 and focused on a drug trafficking organization alleged to have been circulating kilograms of cocaine throughout the city and surrounding communities, according to a Monday news release.
The leader of the trafficking organization is believed to have imported large quantities of cocaine into the city before dispersing the drugs to a network of dealers in multi-ounce quantities, police say.
The investigation concluded on Oct. 16 when a traffic stop outside of a location believed to be associated with the organization led to the seizure of a kilogram of cocaine.
Five search warrants were subsequently executed, leading to the seizure of three vehicles, cryptocurrency, about $23,000 in cash and a number of weapons that included two rifles, bear mace and throwing knives.
Police say they also seized an estimated $163,000 worth of drugs, including about 1,150 grams of cocaine, about 2,650 grams of illegal cannabis, 45 Oxycodone pills and less than a gram of methamphetamine.
Five people, ranging in age from 22 to 30, have been arrested and now face charges related to drug trafficking and/or firearms, according to the release.
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