Canada: Police Announce Record Meth Seizure

News

Authorities seized 6.5 million Canadian dollars (US$4.9 million) worth of methamphetamine in a 16-month operation called Project Declass, according to a Tuesday press release by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

December 13, 2019

The seizure is the largest in the history of Manitoba - one of Canada’s western provinces.

Police seized 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, 43 kilograms of cocaine, over $75,000 in cash, and several vehicles including a Harley Davidson motorcycle. 

Eleven people were arrested and charged with trafficking, conspiracy to traffic, possession of proceeds of crime, and money laundering. One of the individuals taken into custody is a “full badge” member of the Manitoba chapter of the motorcycle gang Hells Angels. 

“Our investigation has identified a number of individuals from multiple organized crime food chains who each played a role in the drug distribution network,” says Lisa Moreland, RCMP Criminal Operations Officer in a press conference. 

The arrests were made after nine separate raids on properties and homes.

Project Declass began in August 2018 when two Canadian residents were caught attempting to smuggle 40 kilograms of methamphetamine into the country. The investigation focused on a potential network, and involved cooperation between Canadian Border Services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, according to an official twitter account. 

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