The brazen shooting death of man at an Exchange District nightclub last November kicked off a months-long police investigation into Winnipeg’s organized crime world that’s culminated in a series of drugs, weapons, and murder charges.
The investigation started with the shooting death of Jamshaid Wahabi, 23, inside the since-closed Citizen nightclub on Bannatyne Avenue Nov. 2 and the subsequent homicide of the man police believe killed Wahabi.
Wahabi was shot multiple times in the nightclub shooting, which started in the club before spilling out into the street around 1:30 a.m. Another man was shot in the lower body but survived.
Wahabi’s suspected shooter, Rig Moulebou, 20, was shot and killed at a townhouse on Tim Sale Drive just a few days later on Nov. 4.
Three men have already been charged in connection with Moulebou’s slaying.
Abdullahi Abdulrehman Mohamed, 24, Manuchehr Haroon, 23, and Javaid Wahabi, 23, are all charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Police say Javaid Wahabi is Jamshaid Wahabi’s brother.
Police say charges have been stayed against a fourth man originally charged in Moulebou’s homicide.
On Monday Insp. Shawn Pike of the major crimes unit unveiled more details about investigations started following the outbreak of gang violence, and announced a number of further arrests.
Police are not naming the gangs, said Pike, who would not give information on what led to the initial shooting.
“We believe that involvement in the drug subculture and in gangs have caused this ultimately to occur.”
Pike said gang fights don’t often spill out into the community, but there were many bystanders present when the shooting occurred at the nightclub. That, along with concerns over more gang retaliation, made police react quickly to look at known gang associates.
The lengthy investigation led to the seizure of roughly five kilograms of cocaine, about $190,000 in cash, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and roughly $20,000 worth of gold jewelry.
The seizures came after drug raids at three Winnipeg homes in April.
The investigation also led to firearm-related charges against a 41-year-old man police allege acted as a “straw purchaser” for a 25-year-old man found in possession with a .50 calibrre Desert Eagle handgun during a traffic stop following Wahabi’s funeral Nov. 7.
Straw purchasers are people who can legally buy guns, but are getting them for those who cannot buy them or don’t want their name associated with the guns.
In all, 22 firearms were seized during a raid at a Winnipeg home back in November.
During the investigations police say they learned some of their suspects were responsible for other offenses, some related to organized crime, and further charges were laid.
Six men and a woman — all between the ages of 21 and 29 — face charges including possession for the purpose of trafficking and participation in a criminal organization.
Pike said he believes the investigation and charges will make a difference on the city’s gang problems.
“These are substantive charges that carry potentially large sentences with them. Tie in the drug end of it as well … there is definitely some impact there for sure.”
Those charged out of the investigations include:
Rami Hagos, 25, of Winnipeg, is charged with attempted murder for his alleged role in the shooting outside of Citizen Nightclub, attempted murder in association with a criminal organization, association with a criminal organization, and a long-list of firearm-related charges.
Haben Nipsey Weldekidan, a 26-year-old male of Winnipeg, is charged with uttering threats, uttering threats in association with a criminal organization, assault, and assault in association with a criminal association.
Mohammad Moradi, a 22-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with participation in criminal organization.
Charles Kiniki, a 21-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with two counts of failing to comply with the conditions of a recognizance.
Zuhair Mohammad-Zarif, a 25-year-old male of Winnipeg, is facing drug-trafficking and weapons charges, as well as possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Zuhur Mohammad-Zarif, a 28-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking as well as possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Zubair Mohammad-Zarif, a 29-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking as well as possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Stefany Dayana Castro Alvarez, a 25-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Global News has confirmed three of the accused — Zuhur Mohammad-Zarif, Zuhair Mohammad-Zarif, and Haben Weldekidan — are not Canadian citizens, and could face deportation.
–With files from The Canadian Press