In response to the increase in catalytic converter thefts, the Winnipeg Police Service's Property Crime Unit, entered into a four-month investigation called "Project Precious." This project was named after the precious and lucrative metals found in the composition of a catalytic converter.
The investigation led to a scrapyard believed to be purchasing stolen catalytic converters. Both the buyers and the sellers of these stolen devices were profiting financially.
On June 2, 2022, Property Crimes, with the assistance of the Tactical Support Team, and Springfield Police Service, executed a search warrant at a business in the 2200 block of Springfield Road.
Three adults were taken into custody, and the following items were seized during this investigation:
- 13 catalytic converters
- $12,500 Canadian currency
- 9.4 grams of cocaine (estimated street value of $900)
- approximately 300 grams of cannabis (estimated street value of $3000)
- 2,400 mg psilocybin (estimated street value of $300)
- transactional documents
Two males, ages 35 and 48, from Anola, MB, are facing the following charges:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Possess Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance – Cocaine
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance – Psilocybin
- Cannabis Act More Than Equivalent of 30 g of Dried Cannabis
- Cannabis Act Selling Cannabis to an Adult
They were released on an Appearance Notice as mandated by the Criminal Code.
Robert Jeffries LYTLE, 43, of Winnipeg, was charged with the following offences:
- Possess Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Release Order