On Tuesday, Mounties announced the results of Project Divergent, a national and international venture “focusing on the import and distribution of illegal weapons and drugs.”
Insp. Grant Stephen, responsible for federal, serious and organized crime at the RCMP in Manitoba, said it was “the biggest drug seizure in the history of the RCMP in Manitoba”.
During the search, police seized 110 kilograms of cocaine, 41.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, three kilograms of fentanyl and half a kilogram of MDMA. Stephen said the estimated value of all the drugs seized was $ 70 million.
Officers also seized 14 pistols, five assault rifles and more than $ 445,000 in Canadian cash.
“I provide this framework not to amaze you with this seizure, but to show how many people could have been affected by this illegal product and not only be affected, but also killed,” he said.
Jane MacLatchy, Manitoba RCMP Assistant Commissioner, said the arrests, which included a member of a gang of illegal cyclists, would have a significant impact.
“We have managed to cause a major disruption to the flow of weapons and drugs in the country,” he said.
The RCMP said that Project Divergent was launched in 2018 after officers observed trends in international drug imports into the country. During the investigation, the RCMP and other police services said they saw large volumes of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and assault firearms transactions and discovered a relationship with the Hells Angels.
Damion Ryan, 41, who according to the RCMP is a full member of the Hells Angels for the Attica motorcycle gang in Greece, was arrested in Ontario in February and faces multiple charges related to firearms and drug trafficking.
“It has tremendous access to different networks, both in Canada and internationally,” Stephen said
Other people charged in the investigation include:
Enrico Funk, 29, of Freidensruh, Manitoba; Artjom Gotting, 32, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Nathaniel Cabal, 31, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Trinh Ducthang Dinh, 31, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Zuhair Mohammad-Zarif, 27, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Jesse James Whyte, 26, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Kelvin Lee Nelson, 27, of Burnaby, BC. Mazin Nzar Zandy, 24, of Burnaby, BC; Andre Omar Steele, 41, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Brittany Girardeau, 28, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Albert Theodore Jansen, 39, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Sharon Jonatanson, 66, of Libau, Manitoba; Scott Matthew Jonatanson, 27, of Libau, Manitoba; Caitlin Jones, 22, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Owen James Quesnel, 33, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; William Solomon Gooding, 24, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Brian Christopher Yakimoski, 28, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Jeffrey David Gaudet, 32, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Dylan Durval South, 28, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
None of the charges against any of the accused have been proven in court.
The RCMP is also looking for two more suspects for whom arrest warrants have been issued.
Kieffer Michael Kramar, 30, is from Winnipeg, but the RCMP believes he could be anywhere in Canada.
Kieffer Michael Kramar, 30, is wanted as part of Project Divergent. He is from Winnipeg, but police believe he could be anywhere in Canada. (Image source: Manitoba RCMP)
Denis Ivziku, 24, hails from the Lower Continent of British Columbia and is believed to still be in the area.
Denis Ivziku, 24, is wanted as part of Project Divergent. It is from the Lower Continent of British Columbia and is believed to still be located in this area. (Image source: Manitoba RCMP)
Anyone with location information on any man can call RCMP at 204-983-5420.