Over 9 kg of cocaine, cash, guns nabbed in Brandon after year-long investigation

Brandon Police arrested 10 people for cocaine distribution, among other charges, after a year-long investigation intointerprovincial drug trafficking, according to a news release Monday.

The inter-agency Project Banish operation led to the seizure of more than nine kilograms of cocainewhich could have a street valueof over $900,000more than $450,000 in cash and multiple stolen guns, according to the release. Police said the actual value of all items seized is $950,000.

Brandon Police were assisted by units from the Winnipeg Police Service as well as Manitoba Justice during the investigation.

"It is no secret that a coordinated effort is required to effectively catch and convict drug traffickers," Brandon Police Services deputy Chief Randy Lewissaid at a press conference Monday.

"Project Banish is an example of how just such a coordinated effort between invested organizations and people can successfully dismantle a drug trafficking network."

Police believe the cocaine being distributed in Brandon was brought infrom Ontario and British Columbia.

Sgt. Paul McBeth said Project Banish unearthed a "sophisticated network" of high to mid-level traffickers and local couriers distributing drugs.

During the week of Nov. 21, police searchedsix residential areas in Brandon as well as Campbell's Trailer Court, a Brandon business and three vehicles.

Multiple family members were arrested in relation to the investigation, McBethsaid at the press conference.

"It is an independent organization ... the cocaine is coming from outside of Brandon, but we believe the network itself was working within Brandon," McBeth said.

"I'm sure there will be another group looking to fill that role and we will do our best to discover who they are and take them down as well."

The searchat the residence and vehicle of the organization's alleged leader led to the seizure of 24 ounces of cocaine and more than $76,000 in cash.

Multiple weapons includingswords, a spring-loaded knife, a baton, a bulletproof ballistic vest, a crossbow and other items police linkto drug traffickingincluding scales andbaggies for a vacuum sealer.

The person police believe to be the network'sleader is charged with trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine possessed, proceeds of crime more than $5,000, as well as other conspiracy and firearms charges.

"Brandon Police Service organized crime section anticipates further charges and future arrests stemming from this investigation," McBeth said.

Project Banish shows the need for agencies to work together when it comes to bringing down drug rings, saidMinister of Justice Kelvin Goertzen.

"We know the drug dealers... there's no borders and boundaries that are operated within and that information needs to be shared between police agencies, expertise needs to be shared," Goertzen said at the press conference.

"This is a perfect example of what we're trying to achieve more broadly in the province of having great law enforcement ...in the different municipal forces and the provincial RCMP work together to share information and take drugs off the street and get charges laid against individuals who need to have charges laid against them."