Police to provide details on major drug op

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2016 (3604 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police are expected to make an announcement on Wednesday about three arrests and the seizure of drugs and guns from the Brandon area as the result of a major drug investigation.

“Project Derringer” was a joint effort between the BPS, Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba RCMP, and it was the Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force that made the arrests.

Police raided a farm near Griswold on Thursday afternoon and reportedly arrested two men at that scene. Charges have been laid, and based on those it appears a third man was arrested on Friday in Brandon.

Police also raided a home on the 1200 block of First Street on Friday, but it’s unclear if that raid is connected to the third man or how it is related to the investigation.

Both raids involved the BPS Tactical Response Unit.

There was also a report that the unit had arrested a man in the 900 block of Eighth Street on Friday.

Police have been highly secretive about the months-long investigation. The allegations against two of the accused stretch between Jan. 27 and Oct. 13 of this year.

However, it’s expected police will describe an investigation into the mass transport of drugs from the Toronto region to the Brandon area for distribution.

The drugs the men are accused of trafficking are cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin and crystal meth.

Anecdotally, Brandon’s courts have seen a higher presence of cases involving the possession of methamphetamine in recent years.

Where the drugs and weapons were found hasn’t been specified.

The three accused face various weapons offences in connection with the illegal possession of a number of guns.

Leslie Gerald Bisson, 36, is charged with 23 counts that include trafficking of cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin and crystal meth. He’s also accused of illegally possessing a “tactical” semi-automatic rifle, two pump-action shotguns, and three rifles.

Justin Tyler Reimer, 28, is accused of illegally having a .22-calibre handgun, and an SKS 726 calibre “assault” rifle that seems to be a dated Soviet weapon. Reimer is also charged with illegally possessing ammunition for both guns, and a high-capacity magazine.

In total, Reimer faces 19 charges that also include possession of cocaine, crystal meth, and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

It’s alleged he was found in possession of all these drugs and guns on Friday.

Also charged is Javed Ali, 29, who faces six charges that relate to the trafficking and possession for trafficking of cocaine and crystal meth.

All three men remain in custody. The allegations against them haven’t been proven and they’re presumed innocent.

It’s not known yet if the arrests are connected to a series of shootings in the Wheat City recently.

The Brandon Sun will have details from the press conference to be held at Manitoba RCMP headquarters in Winnipeg late Wednesday morning.

Exhibits will be available for journalists to film and photograph.

Deputy Chief Randy Lewis will represent the Brandon Police Service.

» ihitchen@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @IanHitchen