Massive Cross-Country Drug and Gun Trafficking Ring Busted

Drug Trafficking

Massive Cross-Country Drug and Gun Trafficking Ring Busted

March 12, 2025

A sprawling, multi-province drug and gun trafficking network has been dismantled following a months-long investigation, dubbed “Project Lowkey,” the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) announced today. The operation, which spanned from Toronto to the Yukon, resulted in numerous arrests and the seizure of a substantial cache of drugs, firearms, and cash.

The investigation, which began in April 2024, revealed a sophisticated network responsible for transporting large quantities of illicit drugs and guns from Toronto into Manitoba and beyond. Police identified individuals with ties to organized crime groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who were allegedly distributing drugs throughout Manitoba, including Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Thompson, Sandy Bay First Nation, and numerous other First Nation communities.

Transportation methods employed by the group were diverse, ranging from passenger vehicles and chartered buses to parcel shipping companies and commercial airlines. The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) played a crucial role in the investigation, particularly in areas outside Winnipeg, including Sandy Bay First Nation. According to investigators the group were also targeting communities in Northern Manitoba including Thompson, Norway House Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), Nelson House Cree Nation and The Pas.

On January 31, 2025, WPS, with assistance from MFNPS, RCMP “D” Division, Ontario Provincial Police, and Saskatoon Police Service, executed multiple search warrants across Canada, including locations in Winnipeg, Sandy Bay First Nation, Thompson, Toronto, Brampton, Scarborough, and Saskatoon.

The raids resulted in the seizure of:

Seven loaded handguns with high-capacity magazines, including a drum magazine.
Various ammunition.
Approximately 10 kg of cocaine (estimated street value: $250,000).
Approximately 5 kg of methamphetamine (estimated street value: $35,000).
Approximately 25,000 hydromorphone pills (estimated street value: $500,000).
Score sheets, documentation, scales, vacuum sealers, and drug packaging materials.
Three vehicles equipped with hidden compartments (valued at $60,000).
Approximately $280,000 in cash.

As a result of “Project Lowkey,” eight individuals have been arrested and charged with various offenses, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offense, possession of firearms, and possession of forged documents. One arrested individual, Jabreel Elmi, was also wanted on a Canada wide warrant for First Degree Murder, and attempted murder in Toronto, and was listed on Canada’s most wanted list.

The following individuals have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement:

Mohamed ABDUIKADIR, 25, of Winnipeg.
Nisar HASHIMI, 35, of Manitoba/Ontario (GTA).
Jordan LETFORD, 22, of Ontario (GTA).
James SPENCE, 19, of Sandy Bay First Nation.
Deshawn WHYTE, 23, of Ontario (GTA).
Tsu-La-Sti LYNCH, 36, of USA.
Omar ISSE, 25, of Ontario (GTA).
Mohammed ALI, 33, of Ontario (GTA).
Jabreel ELMI, 31, of Ontario (GTA).

Warrants for their alleged involvement have been issued for the arrest of:

Aaron WOLF-PLUME, 22, of Alberta.
Mohammed ABDIRAHMAN, 23, of Ontario.
Rahim KHAN-MOGAKALA, 22, of Ontario.
Marquez LERMA-JORDAN, 20, of Ontario.
Nathan SYLVESTER, 22, of Ontario.

According to the WPS “This investigation highlights the capabilities of organized crime groups to extend their reach beyond provincial borders to target communities across the country, including some of our most vulnerable communities in northern Manitoba.”