Drug ring smoked in Operation Phoenix: Police seize illicit drugs worth millions

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Drug Trafficking

Drug ring smoked in Operation Phoenix: Police seize illicit drugs worth millions

January 13, 2022

An undercover investigation into firearms trafficking that began in Winnipeg in May 2021 is wrapping up with twelve arrests across the country and the immolation of a major drug trafficking ring.

The Winnipeg Police Service Organized Crime Unit’s initial investigation, dubbed Operation Phoenix, led to the discovery that large amounts of drugs were also being trafficked by the network.

As the trail spread wider, deeper and across provincial borders, the WPS partnered with specialized units of the Edmonton Police Service, the OPP and the RCMP, with additional help from ATF, Canada Border Services and the Correctional Services of Canada, and FINTRAC.

In the first two weeks of December, 12 people were arrested in areas including Winnipeg, Edmonton and Toronto.

Two of those charged were allegedly smuggling large quantities of drugs and contraband into Stony Mountain Penitentiary and Collins Bay Institution through the use of drones. The drugs included meth, fentanyl, cocaine, and marihuana. It’s estimated the value of those drugs when sold behind bars tops $700,000.

Operation Phoenix saw a total of 16 search warrants were executed – most in Manitoba. Four were in Winnipeg, three in Anola, two at Stony Mountain Penitentiary, four in Alberta, and three in the GTA.

Numerous bank accounts have now been frozen, and seizures included:

– roughly 40 firearms
– 30 kilograms of methamphetamine ($2.6 million ESV)
– 6 kilograms of fentanyl ($2.75 million ESV)
– 15 kilograms of cocaine ($1.6 million ESV)
– 100 kilograms of marihuana ($500,000 ESV)
– smaller amounts of heroin, ecstasy, and psilocybin ($330,000 ESV)
– 1 kg of cutting agent ($1,200)
– 11 vehicles, 4 snowmobiles, 3 trailers, Bobcat ($381,000)

Six of the 12 suspects arrested have been charged and named. They are:
Matthew Cody KNYSH, 30, of Winnipeg; charged with 20 separate firearms offences.

Mitchell Steven Lee BRUNEAU, 40, of Anola; charged with six firearms-related offences and four counts of conspiracy.

Jason Dean BIGL, 20, of Winnipeg; charged with possessing and trafficking in firearms and four counts of conspiracy.

Stacy DeSANTIS, 25; charged with trafficking a controlled substance and conspiracy.

Mario GROSSO, 36, of Heritage Pointe, AB; charged with trafficking a controlled substance and conspiracy.

Joseph Louis SAVINO, 35, of Winnipeg; charged with six firearms-related offences and trafficking controlled substance.

All were detained in custody.