Manitoba Drug Bust Nets 67 Charges: RCMP Seizes 8kg Cocaine, 57 Guns

A 19-month joint investigation into drug and weapons trafficking in southern Manitoba has resulted in 67 charges against 13 people and the arrest of 15 suspects. Police seized eight kilograms of cocaine, 57 firearms, 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin, and $4,500 in cash. The operation, called Project Dolor, began in December 2024 after Winkler police learned cocaine was being imported through a local business.

How the investigation unfolded

Project Dolor began in December 2024 when Winkler police contacted the RCMP for support after learning multiple kilograms of cocaine were expected to be imported through a Winkler-area business. Over 19 months, the investigation expanded in scope to include other drugs and illegal weapons trafficking. Officers from the Manitoba RCMP, Winkler Police Service, and the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team worked together across 10 southern Manitoba communities including Carman, Morden, La Rivière, Thornhill, and McCreary.

What police seized in the bust

Officers seized approximately eight kilograms of cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin, 13 restricted handguns, and 44 non-restricted firearms. Three of the restricted guns were illegally trafficked. Police also recovered 228 cartons of unstamped tobacco, thousands of rounds of ammunition, four vehicles worth $110,000 combined, and $4,500 in cash from residential and commercial properties.

The charges and first arrest

Thirteen people face a combined 67 charges related to drug and gun trafficking. A 29-year-old Carman man, Tyler Thorvaldson, was arrested in February during a traffic stop on Highway 2 when RCMP found two kilograms of cocaine and a prohibited handgun in his vehicle. He was charged with 29 offences and remains in custody. Two additional Winnipeg men were arrested with charges pending. Three suspects remain in custody overall.

What police say comes next

Superintendent Jeff Asmundson told reporters Tuesday that the operation made a definite impact on the trafficking network. However, he acknowledged that because of profit margins, other traffickers will likely attempt to fill the void. Further charges and arrests are expected as the investigation continues. Police emphasized the collaboration between multiple agencies was critical to the operation’s success.

Final Thoughts

Project Dolor dismantled a significant drug and weapons trafficking network across southern Manitoba, but law enforcement expects competitors to move in due to ongoing demand. The 67 charges and seizure of 57 firearms mark a major regional enforcement win.

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