A man from Anola has been charged with numerous firearms-related offences as part of an investigation by Winnipeg Police Service Organized Crime Unit.

In May of 2021, the Unit began the initial stages of an investigation into firearms trafficking. The project was dubbed Operation Phoenix and progressed through the summer, as investigators learned that a large amount of drugs was also being trafficked by the network.

This led to the Winnipeg Police Service partnering with The Edmonton Police Service Gang Enforcement Unit, the Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and the RCMP Organized Crime Unit. Additional assistance was provided by ATF, Canada Border Services and the Correctional Services of Canada, and FINTRAC.

Twelve people were arrested at various locations, including Anola, Winnipeg, Edmonton and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Two of those arrested face charges related to smuggling large quantities of drugs and contraband into Stony Mountain Penitentiary and Collins Bay Institution through the use of drones. The drugs trafficked included: methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marihuana and contraband. The institutional value of the drugs and contraband seized at Stony Mountain Penitentiary is estimated at $700,000.

Arrests were made in the first two weeks of December. Of the twelve suspects arrested, six have been charged and can be named at this time, including 40-year-old Mitchell Steven Lee Bruneau of Anola. Bruneau has been charged with six firearms-related offences and four counts of conspiracy. He has been detained in custody.

In total, sixteen search warrants were executed: three in Anola, four in Winnipeg, two at Stony Mountain Penitentiary, four in Alberta, and three in the GTA. Seizures included:

  • Roughly 40 firearms
  • 30 kilograms of methamphetamine ($2.6 million estimated street value)
  • 6 kilograms of fentanyl ($2.75 million estimated street value)
  • 15 kilograms of cocaine ($1.6 million estimated street value)
  • 100 kilograms of marijuana ($500,000 estimated street value)
  • smaller amounts of heroin, ecstasy, and psilocybin ($330,000 estimated street value)
  • 1 kg of cutting agent ($1,200)
  • 11 vehicles, 4 snowmobiles, 3 trailers, Bobcat ($381,000)

Numerous bank accounts were also frozen.