Large Drug Bust In Winkler-Morden Area

Winkler and Morden Police Services along with RCMP outlined details Thursday of the joint operation "Project Denver", a major drug bust which netted ten arrests and dozens of charges.

Four search warrants were executed at a number of residences in the two communities Tuesday afternoon, the culmination of an eight week investigation. About 310 grams of cocaine, nine grams of marijuana, a small amount of LSD, and just over $4,600 in cash was seized. The individuals arrested are from Morden, Winkler, Rosengart, Winnipeg, and Carnduff, Saskatchewan.

"We are really hoping, first and foremost, this sends a message to the criminal element that these sort of activities and any criminal activity will not be tolerated, and we will take whatever means need be to hold them accountable," said Morden Police Chief Brad Neduzak. "We hope it sends a message to our citizens we will take whatever steps necessary individually as an agency or collectively to see that our citizens are safe."

Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert echoed those sentiments his comments, stressing an operation like Project Denver should give local residents a level of confidence work is being done to keep our communities safe.

"What is significant in this matter is not necessarily the quantity seized during the arrests or during the project, but the fact we are taking drug traffickers off the street," noted Hiebert. "Upon conviction they should be serving a significant penalty, and I'm hoping that will send a strong message that will probably surprise some people."

"We were pleased to be able to assist the Morden Police Service and the Winkler Police Service in their investigation," said 'D' Division Inspector Brent Taylor. "Catching criminals is the number one priority in any police force, and we're very happy with the outcome of Project Denver."

Winkler Mayor Martin Harder had high praise for his city's Police Service as well as Morden's and the RCMP after learning the results of the operation, stressing this type of work is hugely important. "We pride ourselves of being a safe community, this reinforces 'don't mess with the community'... we are there, we will find you," said Harder. "Things like this have to happen in order for the community to realize there is behind the scenes activity going on, but yet our police departments are on top of it, and when they make an arrest like this it's nothing but good news for the community."

All arrested parties were held in custody and appeared in Winnipeg Provincial Court Wednesday. Some of the individuals have since been released on undertakings, while others remain in custody. All individuals are scheduled to appear in court at later dates.

A news conference was held Thursday afternoon regarding "Project Denver".

As a result of Project Denver, the following individuals were arrested and face the following charges:

Ruben John Reimer, age 32, of Morden, Manitoba
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine

David James Richard Hills, age 22, of Morden, Manitoba
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
Breach Undertaking x10
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Lysergic Acid diethylamide

Brian Hodgson, age 21, of Morden, Manitoba
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
Breach of Undertaking X5
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Lysergic Acid diethylamide

Ernest Buhler, age 26, of Village of Rosengart, Manitoba
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine X3
Breach of Undertaking X3

Robert Brian Neufeld, age 32 of Morden, Manitoba
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine X2
Brett Ashton Krashel, age 22, of Carnduff, Saskatchewan
Possess a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
Breach of Probation X2
Breach of Undertaking X2

Chadwin Ross Klyne, age 32, of Winkler, Manitoba
Possess a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
Possess a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking: Marihuana
Possess Proceeds of Crime: cash

Peter Loewen Penner, age 20, of Winkler, Manitoba
Possess a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
Possess a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking: Marihuana
Possess Proceeds of Crime:

Shyla Tyne Lazarenko, age 18, of Winnipeg, Manitoba
Possess a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking: Cocaine
Possess a controlled substance: Marihuana
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Lysergic Acid diethylamide

The following person remains at large and is being sought by investigators:
Heinrich Wiebe, age 27, of Winkler, Manitoba
Trafficking a Controlled Substance: Cocaine X2