Manitoba finance officer among 21 arrested in drug trafficking investigation

Manitoba RCMP says they have arrested the head of a drug trafficking ring and a provincial finance officer as part of a long-term trafficking investigation.

Manitoba RCMP says they have arrested the head of a drug trafficking ring and a provincial finance officer as part of a nearly year-long investigation.

Known as Project Dawgpound, the investigation resulted in the seizure of about $2.5 million in drugs and 19 firearms, RCMP announced Tuesday afternoon.

“Project Dawgpound yielded fantastic results and got a kilo-level trafficker and his network off the streets,” said Insp. Grant Stephen with the Manitoba RCMP. “We will continue to enforce against the illegal drug trade and disrupt networks that often lead to or are connected with organized crime in the interest of creating a safer Manitoba and a safer Canada.”

RCMP said the investigation started in May 2022, and reached across Canada including Toronto, Calgary, Moncton, Prince Edward Island and Vancouver. Police allege Hue Ha, of Winnipeg, was in charge of the drug trafficking ring, bringing large amounts of cocaine and contraband cigarettes into the province from Ontario.

An investigator with the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit was also arrested for allegedly leaking police enforcement plans. Donovan Sired, 50, of Winnipeg has been charged with bribery of officers, breach of trust by a public officer and conspiracy to evade the payment.

“The allegations are concerning, but I appreciate the fact that the RCMP followed the evidence, found the evidence and did the appropriate thing in terms of laying the charges,” said Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen.