Fifteen people have been arrested so far and more than 10 kilograms of illicit drugs seized as part of an ongoing police investigation into a drug and weapons trafficking network operating in several southern Manitoba communities.
Project Dolor is a joint investigation involving the Winkler Police Service and the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team (MILET), which investigates serious and organized crime. The investigation was launched in December 2024 after Winkler officers approached RCMP for support after learning multiple kilograms of cocaine were being imported to a Winkler-area businesses.
Over the next 19 months, RCMP and Winkler officers gathered evidence. The operation expanded in size and scope over time as it became clear other types of drugs and some weapons were also being trafficked.
A number of arrests were made in the past month and supported by search warrants that were executed at a mix of residential and commercial properties in Winkler, the RM of Stuartburn, Thornhill, La Riviere and McCreary.
In total, 67 charges have been laid so far as part of the ongoing investigation – including 29 levelled against Tyler Thorvaldson, a 29-year-old Carman male. Thorvaldson was arrested in February by RCMP Traffic Services, who found two kilograms of cocaine and a prohibited handgun during a traffic stop on Highway 2. He remains in custody.
The suspects – 14 males and one female – live in 10 different Manitoba communities. Charges have been laid against 13 of the 15 suspects, with charges pending against two Winnipeg males who were recently arrested. Three suspects remain in custody.
Further charges and arrests are expected as part of this investigation.
As part of Project Dolor, RCMP officers and the Winkler Police Service seized approximately:
- Eight kilograms of cocaine;
- 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin;
- 13 restricted handguns, three of which were illegally trafficked;
- 44 non-restricted firearms, the majority of which were unlawfully stored;
- Thousands of rounds of various ammunition;
- Four vehicles with a combined cash value of about $110,000;
- 228 cartons of unstamped tobacco; and
- $4,500 in cash.
“The efforts of officers working on Project Dolor have been successful in dismantling a criminal network and disrupting the local drug trade in several communities,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, the RCMP’s commanding officer in Manitoba.
“The RCMP is appreciative of its partnership with the Winkler Police Service on Project Dolor, which reflects the commitment both law enforcement organizations share towards ensuring the safety and security of the communities we share.”
“The arrests made as part of Project Dolor are the culmination of more than a year and a half of tireless work by police officers from multiple organizations – all working together to disrupt a criminal network in Winkler and other communities,” said Winkler Police Service Chief Ryan Hunt. “The work on Project Dolor remains ongoing and we are appreciative of the RCMP’s continued efforts in supporting our officers’ work to keep our streets safe for the people of Winkler.”
A number of RCMP units have provided assistance to Project Dolor at various stages of the investigation, including Pembina Valley RCMP, officers from the RCMP West and East District General Investigation Sections, RCMP Traffic Services, the Cyber and Financial Crimes Unit, Digital Forensic Services, Forensic Identification Services, the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and the Emergency Response Team.
Other organizations also assisted in the investigation, including the Regional Service Tactical Team, the Winnipeg Police Service, Morden Police Service, the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, Manitoba Justice, the Canada Revenue Agency and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
