In April 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Organized Crime Unit commenced an investigation, dubbed “Project Lowkey,” regarding the activities of a high-level drug trafficking group operating in Winnipeg, central and northern Manitoba as well as Saskatchewan, Ontario, Newfoundland, and Yukon.
Through the investigation, police identified a number of individuals believed to be responsible for the transportation of large quantities of illicit drugs and guns from Toronto, Ontario into the Province of Manitoba. These individuals are believed to be associated to organized crime groups in the Toronto area.
The illicit drugs were transported from Toronto to the Winnipeg area, where they were subsequently distributed throughout Manitoba, including the City of Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Thompson, Sandy Bay First Nation, and multiple other First Nation communities. Transportation methods included the use of passenger vehicles, chartered buses, parcel shipping companies, and commercial airlines.
The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) assisted with the investigation involving locations outside the City of Winnipeg, specifically in Sandy Bay First Nation and other jurisdictions within their service area. This group was also targeting northern communities including Thompson, Norway House Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), Nelson House Cree Nation and The Pas.
On January 31, 2025, WPS, with the assistance of Manitoba First Nations Police Service, and RCMP “D” Division, Ontario Provincial Police and Saskatoon Police Service, executed multiple search warrants throughout Canada, including the following locations:
- 500 block of Dale Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 600 block of Ballantrae Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 300 block of Houde Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 1700 block of Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 400 block of Ridge Road South, Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba
- 600 block of Princeton Drive, Thompson, Manitoba
- First block of Cambridge Street, Thompson, Manitoba
- First block of Casimir Street, Toronto, Ontario
- First block of Keppel Circle, Brampton, Ontario
- 200 block of Brenyon Way, Scarborough, Ontario
- First block of Assiniboine Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The search warrants resulted in the seizure of the following property:
- Seven (7) loaded handguns with loaded high capacity magazines, including a loaded drum magazine
- Various Ammunition
- Approximately 10 kg of Cocaine (Estimated Street Value: $250,000)
- Approximately 5 kg of Methamphetamine (Estimated Street Value: $35,000)
- Approximately 25,000 Hydromorphone pills (Estimated Street Value: $500,000)
- Score sheets and documentation
- Scales, vacuum sealer, drug packaging material
- 2020 Dodge Durango, 2016 Honda Accord, 2013 Acura RDX (drug conveyance vehicle) – valued at $60,000. (all vehicles were found to contain professionally installed methods of concealment, aka. traps)
- Approximately $280,000.00 CDN
As a result of Project Lowkey, the following individuals were arrested and formally charged:
Mohamed ABDUIKADIR, 25, of MB: (Wpg)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3
Nisar HASHIMI, 35, of MB/ONT (GTA)
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm x 3
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 4
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon, Firearm Part or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x 3
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3
Jordan LETFORD, 22, of ONT (GTA)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 4
James SPENCE, 19, of MB: (Sandy Bay)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3
Deshawn WHYTE, 23, of ONT: (GTA)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
- Possession of a Forged Document with Intent
Tsu-La-Sti LYNCH, 36, of USA:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
Omar ISSE, 25, of ONT: (GTA)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
- Possession of a Forged Document with Intent
Mohammed ALI, 33, of ONT: (GTA)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3
Jabreel ELMI, 31, of ONT: (GTA)
- Canada Wide Warrant, First Degree Murder
- Attempted Murder x 2 (Toronto) – Listed on Canada’s Most Wanted List
Warrants of arrest have also been issued for the following individuals:
Aaron WOLF-PLUME, 22 years, of AB: (Wanted)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 4
Mohammed ABDIRAHMAN, 23, of ONT: (Wanted)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3
Rahim KHAN-MOGAKALA, 22, of ONT: (Wanted)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 3
Marquez LERMA-JORDAN, 20, of ONT: (Wanted)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
Nathan SYLVESTER, 22, of ONT: (Wanted)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
This investigation highlights the capabilities of organized crime groups to extend their reach beyond provincial borders to target communities across the country, including some of our most vulnerable communities in northern Manitoba.
The success of this investigation relied upon the assistance from partnering police agencies, including MFNPS, Saskatoon Police Service, OPP, Toronto Police Service, Vancouver Police Department, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and the RCMP.