Between September 2022 and February 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), entered into two drug trafficking investigations, yielding over 3.4 million dollars worth of Heroin, Opium and approximately $500,000 of criminal proceeds. Ten individuals were arrested for over 40 drug-related offences.
In September, the DEU was alerted by the CBSA regarding an international Opium drug trafficking network which initiated a joint investigation.
On September 22, DEU, with the assistance of the Tactical Support Team, executed a search warrant at a residence in the Maples neighbourhood of Winnipeg. Three individuals were taken into custody, and the following items were seized:
- 4 Opium laced rugs containing 9.6 kilograms of Opium
(estimated street value of 2 million dollars)
- 227 grams of Black Tar Heroin
- 20.8 grams of powder Heroin
- approximately $21,625 in Canadian currency
- drug trafficking materials and paraphernalia
- Maneesha Kaur Grewal, a 26-year-old female
- Harpreet Sandhu, a 35-year-old male
- Gurpreet Mann, a 39-year-old male
The accused were all from Winnipeg and charged with the following offences:
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Opium
- Import a Scheduled Substance x 2
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
They were all released on Undertakings as mandated by the Criminal Code.
In December 2022, members of DEU conducted a second investigation into a subsequent Opium and Heroin drug trafficking network operating in a Maples neighbourhood. This investigation was approximately two months long.
Between February 1 and February 8, 2023, DEU, with the assistance of the Tactical Support Team, executed search warrants on two residences, two vehicles and four financial institutions in Winnipeg and the West St. Paul municipality. As a result of this investigation, seven individuals were taken into custody, and the following items were seized:
- approximately 7 Kilograms of Heroin/Opium (estimated street value of 1.4 million dollars)
- approximately $473,480 in Canadian currency
- approximately $120,000 in gold jewelry
- drug trafficking materials and paraphernalia
- a BB Gun
Two 28-year-old males, one 31-year-old male and one 25-year-old male, are facing the following charges:
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin/Opium
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
A 46-year-old female and a 26-year-old female are facing the following charges:
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin/Opium
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
A 50-year-old male is facing the following charges:
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x 2
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order x 2
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
All accused were from Winnipeg and released on an Undertaking as mandated by the Criminal Code.
Anyone with information regarding drug trafficking is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be submitted online.
If you or someone you know needs help with addictions, you can ask for help by calling
1-855-662-6605, the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba or at Street Connections
To reduce the risk of an overdose, never use drugs alone and always carry naloxone if opioids may be present. For more information on where you can find naloxone, please visit Street Connections