Winnipeg Police arrested two men after a six month investigation into an inter-provincial drug trafficking ring.
During the investigation that began in October 2019, member of the Guns and Gangs Unit identified two suspects. One of the men was from Winnipeg the other was a man who passed through the city on a regular basis bringing with him the illegal drugs.
On Sunday March 8, 2020, police watched as the two suspects met at a Portage Avenue gas bar and made what appeared to be a drug transaction. Police arrested both men.
Officers say that the exchange they witnessed turned out to be a hand-off of 4 kilograms of Cocaine.
Police searched the vehicles the suspects arrived in and found 15 more kilograms of cocaine as well as 20 pounds of cannabis.
A semi-trailer and a Jeep Wrangler were seized.
The 19 kilograms of cocaine have a street values of about $1,520,000 while the cannabis is estimated to be worth about $90,600.
Jay Marte SANTOS, 42, from Winnipeg, was charged for his alleged involvement with Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Balbir Singh NAHAL, 36, from Abbotsford, British Columbia, was charged for his alleged involvement with:
- Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Trafficking in Scheduled Substance Cocaine
- Possess for the Purpose of Distribution Cannabis
- Possess Proceeds of Property
- Obtained by Crime Under $5000
Both accused were detained in custody.
