In December of 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Guns and Gangs Unit began an investigation regarding drug production and trafficking in the McMillan and Garden Grove neighbourhoods.
The following items were seized by police during the course of this investigation:
- A Glock 19, 9 mm pistol with loaded magazine with obliterated serial number
- A Glock 43, 9 mm pistol with loaded magazine
- A Glock 43, 9 mm pistol with loaded magazine
- A Glock 27c, .40 calibre pistol with loaded magazine
- A loaded Del-Ton model DTI-IS, 5.56 calibre AR rifle without magazine
- A loaded 10 round magazine
- A loaded 17 round 9 mm magazine
- Auto-sear fully automatic firearm conversion device x 4
- Large quantity of assorted rounds of ammunition
- Approximately 2059 grams of cocaine (Estimated Street Value = $205,900)
- Approximately 347 grams of crack cocaine (Estimated Street Value = $34,700)
- Approximately 171 grams of MDMA (Estimated Street Value = $3,420)
- Approximately $20,300 in Canadian currency
- Drug trafficking materials/packaging
- Hydraulic press
- Money counter
- Vacuum sealer
- Cellular phones
Investigators determined that quantities of illicit narcotics were being produced and trafficked within these neighbourhoods. A number of suspects and locations of interest were identified and were investigated by police.
On April 6, 2025, investigators simultaneously executed search warrants at two locations of interest within the City of Winnipeg, including the following:
- An apartment suite in the 300 block of Stradbrook Avenue
- A residence in the 300 block of Egesz Street
A male was located within the Stradbrook Avenue residence and taken into custody without incident. A male and a female were located in the residence on Egesz Street and also arrested without incident. A search of the female revealed approximately $850 on her person, which was subsequently seized by police.
Evan Lee James BRAUN, (24) from Winnipeg is charged with the following:
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 7
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm x 4
- Store Firearm or Restricted Weapon Contrary to Regulations
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon, Firearm Part or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x 3
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Produce a Scheduled Substance
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Warrant – Aggravated Assault, Discharge a Restricted Firearm with Intent, ET AL
- Warrant – Unlawfully at Large
Shaquil Alexander OMER, (22) from Blumenort, Manitoba is charged with the following:
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 7
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm x 4
- Store Firearm or Restricted Weapon Contrary to Regulations
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine x 2
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Produce a Scheduled Substance
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 2
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon, Firearm Part or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x 3
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order x 3
- Operation of a Conveyance While Prohibited Pursuant to Federal or Provincial Act
Both were detained in custody.
A 26-year-old female, from Winnipeg is facing the following charges:
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
She was released on an Appearance Notice as mandated by the Criminal Code.
On May 2, 2025, the Guns and Gangs Unit arrested an additional male suspect in the 400 block of Notre Dame Avenue without incident.
Eseyas REZENE, (35) of Winnipeg is charged with the following:
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 5
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm x 4
- Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 2
- Store Firearm or Restricted Weapon Contrary to Regulations
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon, Firearm Part or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x 5
- Store Firearm or Restricted Weapon Contrary to Regulations
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Produce a Scheduled Substance
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order x 5
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Undertaking
He was detained in custody.