Manitoba RCMP along with help from a number of other Canadian and international law enforcement agencies have arrested 22 individuals and seized a large quantity of drugs, firearms and Canadian Currency as part of Project Divergent.
RCMP began the investigation into the drug trade after a criminal analyst noticed some trends in the international importation of drugs into Canada. Investigators quickly discovered that they were onto a large-scale domestic operation.
Through the use of intelligence officers determined a significant Canada-wide operation of drugs and firearms trafficking.
Police infiltrated the trafficking networks and began to see large-volume transactions with cocaine; methamphetamine; opiates, specifically fentany along with assault-style firearms and ammunition. The investigation also uncovered a connection to the Hells Angels.
In late February 2022, Damion Ryan, a full patch member of the Hells Angels in Attica Greece, was arrested in Ontario. Police say his arrest was a “huge disruption to the supply chain of drugs and guns that he helped facilitate.”
Eighteen Manitobans and Three British Columbians along with Ryan from Ottawa, Ontario are facing charges related to the investigation. All but two of them have been arrested.
Police are looking for 30-year-old Kieffer Michael Kramar from Winnipeg along with 24-year-old Denis Ivziku from British Columbia are both wanted by RCMP and are actively evading arrest. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call (204) 983-5420.
“Project Divergent disrupted the supply chain and took these drugs off the street. The utter disregard for human life shown by those involved in these networks, specifically those at the top of the chain, became very clear during this investigation, and we were able to take them out of the equation,” said Inspector Grant Stephen, Officer in Charge of the Federal, Serious, and Organized Crime Section.
© News4.ca 2022
