RCMP, Winkler police arrest 13 people accused in rural Manitoba network trafficking in drugs, guns

RCMP and police from Winkler have arrested 13 individuals they claim are involved in a drug and gun trafficking network operating in rural Manitoba. The extensive joint investigation, known as Project Dolor, began 19 months ago after Winkler police alerted the RCMP about kilograms of cocaine being imported to a local truck repair business.

During the investigation, authorities gathered evidence over several months, discovering that the criminal network was involved in trafficking various illicit substances and firearms across multiple Manitoba communities. So far, 15 suspects have been identified, but 13 have been arrested, mostly within the past month, as part of a series of search warrants executed in Winkler, Stuartburn Rural Municipality, Thornhill, La Riviere, and McCreary.

Police have seized an estimated eight kilograms of cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin, 13 restricted handguns (three of which were trafficked illegally), 44 non-restricted firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, four vehicles worth around $110,000, 228 cartons of untaxed tobacco, and $4,500 in cash. All those arrested have been charged with drug trafficking or firearms-related offenses, including Clayton Sprung, 26, from Manitou, who was arrested in February and is currently in custody. He faces 29 charges, including firearms trafficking and drug trafficking offenses.

The RCMP in Manitoba, along with the Winnipeg Police Service, Morden Police Service, provincial justice officials, the Canada Revenue Agency, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, all contributed to the investigation.