Drug Trafficking – Arrests: R24-40207

In August 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Guns & Gangs Unit launched an investigation into a criminal network smuggling cocaine into Winnipeg and within northern First Nations communities.

On September 19th, members of the Guns & Gangs Unit conducted a traffic stop on St. Mary’s Road and Hull Avenue. Three men were arrested and the following items were seized as a result of the investigation:

• Approximately 834 individually wrapped grams of cocaine
• 66 grams of packaged cocaine in various sizes
• $1965 Canadian Currency
• Two vehicles
• Packaging and transport materials for medicines
• A stolen identification document
• Luggage
• Flight tickets

The following individuals were charged with drug trafficking and detained:

A 26-year-old man, Ahmed Abdi BASHIR from Winnipeg

A 24-year-old man, Bego MAHMUTOVIC from Vita, Manitoba

A 27 year old man, Reid David ASALS from Penticton, British Columbia

The seized illegal drugs had an estimated street value of approximately $70,000.00 in northern First Nations communities.

It is believed that this cocaine trafficking criminal network operates interprovincially and that the seized drugs intercepted by police were destined to be transported to First Nation communities in the north.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone wishing to speak with an investigator can call the Guns & Gangs Unit at 204-986-8430 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-TIPS or winnipegcrimestoppers.org