Court documents reveal the techniques Winnipeg police used to conduct Project Sideshow – a two-year investigation that led to 14 suspects being charged with various trafficking offences.
Police used warrants to enable intercepting more than 300,000 communications, tracking cellphones and vehicles and even covertly entering and searching residences, hotel rooms and checked luggage.
The operation culminated with coordinated raids in Manitoba, B.C. and Ontario.
During the course of the investigation, police observed more than $5 million worth of cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA and $4.3-million in cash.
Police said they believe the actual amounts of drugs and money changing hand during the two-year investigation could be four times as high.
Investigators said the operation targeted the highest level of drug dealers in Winnipeg and the charges stemmed the flow of cocaine in to Manitoba from other provinces.
"It also sends a message to other groups out there that we are watching and that we do have the ability to infiltrate their operations and take them down,” said Staff Sgt. Rob Harding.
