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Police scoop up Manitoba Warriors in “Project Falling Star”

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg police say they’ve dealt a devastating blow to a Winnipeg street gang, with dozens of suspects charged.

Officers revealed the results Friday of what they called Project Falling Star, targeting the Manitoba Warriors which police say “have been known to promote illicit drug sales and commit numerous acts of violence that is linked to the territorial disputes related to drug distribution networks.”

Police showed off guns, drugs and other items seized in the investigation which began in April 2013 and resulted in charges against 57 people.

“I think anytime you arrest 57 individuals that are gang members and or associates, it’s going to have a defined impact on their gang to be able to promote their elicit drug trade and be involved in firearms, and specifically reduce the violence associated with them,” said Winnipeg police Staff Sgt. Max Waddell

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Items seized during Winnipeg police Project Falling Star, shown to media on Friday January 24, 2014. Jeremy Desrochers

Police will only say “certain investigative techniques” were used to gather evidence during the lengthy operation. Officers finally moved in on January 16th, raiding the Sutherland Hotel on Main Street. Police handed out this list of items seized in the raids:

DRUGS:

824 rocks of crack cocaine (1/4 grams a piece) – street value $16,480.00
2.5 ounces of powder cocaine – street value $ 4500.00
3 grams methamphetamine – street value $600.00
140 grams of marihuana – street value $1400.00

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CASH :

$13,500.00 cash

FIREARMS:

Loaded sawed off pump action shotgun with shortened stock
Loaded sawed off 12 gauge shotgun
Stevens Loaded sawed off 12 gauge shotgun
Sawed off 12 gauge break action shotgun
Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver handgun
Maverick 12 gauge shotgun
Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun
Winchester model 34 33-30 rifle
CBC .22 calibre rifle
Cooey model 38-22 calibre rifle
12 gauge pump action shotgun
12 gauge shotgun
Pellet gun x 2
Air soft gun
1 stock and barrel for a Maverick 12 gauge shotgun
1 stock and 1 barrel for a Cooey shotgun

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Items seized during Winnipeg police Project Falling Star, shown to media on Friday January 24, 2014. Jeremy Desrochers

AMMUNITION:

(65) 12 Gauge shot gun shells
(12) .38 Special ammunition shells

BALLISTIC VESTS:

1 military fragmentation ballistic vest
3 ballistic vests
1 Manitoba Warrior ballistic vest

ADDITIONAL ITEM:

1 stun gun
Brass knuckles
Nun chucks
Numerous weigh scales
Miscellaneous drug packaging material
Numerous cellular phones
3 x Machete’s
Numerous assorted Manitoba Warrior patches and rockers
Numerous Manitoba Warrior vests (with Top and Bottom Rockers)

Numerous Manitoba Warrior support wear items including:

White Manitoba Warrior tank top
White Manitoba Warrior jersey
Black Manitoba Warrior jersey

Police arrested five people at the Main Street address:
Robert Henry (51 years-old)
Michael Flett (49 years-old) 
Ryan Williams (35 years-old) 
Nelson Murdock (44 years-old) 
Deidra Berens (29 years-old) 

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That led to warrants for the arrest of 22 more people on drug charges and various violations of probation and court orders:

Corrine Hogan (49 years-old) 
Dakota Saskowski (20 years-old) 
Mark Parkhill (50 years-old) CDSA 5(1)
Matthew Hollohan (30 years-old)
Harkinder Gill (42 years-old) 
Matthew Moore (32 years-old) 
Kyle Henry (24 years-old) 
Eduardo Campos (23 years-old) 
Timothy Durocher (23 years-old) 
Kathleen Shellrude (37 years-old) 
Justin Pranteau (22 years-old)
Robert Muminawatum (28 years-old) 
Amanda Parisian (27 year-old) CDSA 5(1)
Vanessa Bone (21 years-old) 
Robert Champagne (31 years-old) 
Desi Courchene (27 years-old) 

Warrants of Arrest have been issued for the following two individuals.

Monica Marie THOMAS, 34 years

Monica Marie THOMAS, 34 years, wanted by Winnipeg police as part of Project Falling Star on Friday January 24, 2014. WPS

Connor Todd SECH, 19 years

Connor Todd SECH, 19 years, wanted by Winnipeg police as part of Project Falling Star, on Friday January 24, 2014. WPS


“Three male youths have also been arrested and charged along with one male youth who is still outstanding,” police say.

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