The Manitoba government is announcing the creation of the Manitoba Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force to strengthen the response to the trafficking of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and other illicit drugs, which continue to threaten community safety, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today. “Manitobans have been clear, the meth crisis needs to end and the people profiting off of creating misery in our communities need to be held to account,” said Wiebe. “This task force will provide law enforcement in Manitoba access to the best minds and practices in Canada when it comes to fighting back against drug trafficking and organized crime.” The task force will include senior leadership from: Manitoba Justice; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Canada Border Services Agency; Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre; Winnipeg Police Service; Brandon Police Service; Manitoba First Nations Police Service; and Altona, Winkler and Morden police services. Kevin Brosseau, Canada’s fentanyl czar, will advise the task force. During its first meeting today, members will share local experiences, set priorities and work toward a provincewide drug enforcement strategy focused on disrupting supply chains including a targeted meth sweep that will focus on those producing and distributing methamphetamine. “I cannot overstate the significance of Manitoba’s leadership in establishing this new Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force as part of our ongoing, collective efforts to protect Manitobans and, by extension, Canadian communities,” said Brosseau. “By strengthening co-ordination, improving information-sharing and disrupting the criminal networks that profit from addiction and violence, the work being announced here today will help reduce the supply of dangerous drugs and enhance community safety across the province.  I look forward to working closely with Manitoba and law enforcement partners to ensure a strong, unified response that delivers safer outcomes for all of us.” Illicit drugs in Manitoba are increasingly tied to organized crime groups operating within the province and across borders, the minister noted. The task force will work to reduce drug supply, disrupt criminal networks, co-ordinate enforcement and support safer outcomes for communities. Reporting to the justice minister, it will provide advice on co-ordination priorities, while supporting better information-sharing and joint enforcement work. This work will be aligned with the Manitoba government’s broader efforts on addictions, harm reduction, social supports and community well-being. “Illicit drugs and organized crime are having a devastating impact on families and neighbourhoods in Winnipeg,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg. “Complicated problems require well-thought-out solutions, and the creation of this task force strengthens the co-ordinated response we need by bringing together police services, provincial and federal partners, and national expertise.” The task force will help police and Manitoba Justice share information more effectively and learn from the best approaches used in other jurisdictions to stop illegal drugs, and ensure agencies have the tools and resources they need to target drug traffickers and organized crime groups. It will explore new ways to disrupt criminal organizations, such as using unexplained wealth orders, and support joint police operations. Its advice will help guide policies that strengthen public safety. The task force’s work will be informed by ongoing input from Indigenous leaders, community organizations, law enforcement and service providers.

Mischief Under $5000  On February 24th at 6:48 p.m. a 46-year-old male entered the Brandon Police Service (BPS) vestibule and tore the phone receiver off and left. He was located, arrested, and held in BPS detention cells for release in the morning once sober. The male will be released via Appearance Notice in the morning with a future court date of May 5th, 2026. Robbery On February 24th at 8:07 p.m., police were dispatched to a convenience store in the 700 block of 12th Street for a reported robbery in progress. An employee had fled the store, prompting a bystander to contact police. Upon immediate police arrival, officers located the male suspect still inside the store. He was advised that he was being detained for investigation and was placed in handcuffs without incident. The 51-year-old Ontario male had entered the store yelling and demanding the cash tray. He had concealed merchandise in his jacket pocket. The male was transported to BPS, where he was held for court on the morning of February 25th, 2026.  Breach of the Peace In the past 24 hours four individuals were arrested for Breach of the Peace. They were brought to BPS detention cells to be released once calm/sober. Arrest Warrants In the past 24 hours three individuals were arrested on the strength of their Warrants for Arrest. One individual was held for court in the morning while the other two were released via Appearance Notice with future court dates. Assault / Uttering Threats On February 24th at 6:02 a.m., members were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of 13th Street for a wellbeing check after reports of banging and screaming. Officers received no response at the door. While peering in the windows with flashlights, officers observed blood smeared on a wall and droplets on the floor. Due to these observations and concern for occupant safety, officers made forced entry into the residence. A 27-year-old male was taken into custody without incident. Investigation revealed that the 32-year-old female victim had awoken to the male attempting to flip her mattress, at which point the situation escalated to him punching, kicking, pulling her hair etc. The female at one point armed herself with a knife in self-defense. The male grabbed the knife, cutting his finger and causing the bleeding observed at the scene. EMT was requested to the scene. The male was taken to BRHC. The female was tended to on scene and was not transported for further medical treatment. At 9:22 a.m officers brought the male to BPS where he was held in detention cells to attend court later that day. Mischief Under On February 24th midafternoon, police responded to the 1200 block of 9th Street following a report of property damage. Two tires on a vehicle had been slashed, and the vehicle had been shot with a BB gun. The suspect was known to the victim. Following an investigation, a 22-year-old female was arrested in connection with the incident. She was later released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on May 11, 2026.

Assiniboine College is marking the start of construction on an important new space at the Victoria Avenue East campus. The space, a former shop at the west end of the building, will become home to labs, specialized equipment and classrooms for the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) and Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology (CLXT) programs. "We are pleased to see the construction phase of this project begin. These are incredibly important programs for health care in Manitoba and Assiniboine is looking forward to welcoming students in 2027," said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College. The province announced a $9.13 million investment in the capital funding for these programs as part of their budget released in spring 2025. “Strengthening health care across the province remains a top priority for our government. Communities throughout Manitoba, especially in rural and northern regions need more trained diagnostic staff, and we are taking concrete action to meet that need. The programs at Assiniboine are an essential part of this work, and our government is proud to provide the funding and support that make these expanded training opportunities possible,” said Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education. “We are pleased to partner with the college on this important step forward, and we look forward to welcoming the students who will train here and go on to build their careers in Manitoba’s health‑care system.” The college is making a significant equity investment in the renovation—$10 million, which will help build space for the Medical Lab and Combined Lab and X-Ray Technology programs, as well as some larger learning spaces and a state-of-the-art Immersive Lab. "Our Board is showing their commitment to making this a reality with its equity contribution, and our Foundation will be looking to the community to help raise another $5 million to complete the financing,” said Frison.

On February 22nd at approximately 11:30 a.m., a traffic stop was conducted in the 1100 block of 26th Street. The three occupants of the vehicle were detained for an investigation. A Police Service Dog (K9) unit attended the scene and was deployed to conduct an exterior search of the vehicle. The K9 provided a positive indication for the presence of drugs. As a result of the search, officers located 4.6 grams of cocaine inside a bag in the back seat. A suitcase in the trunk was found to contain $6,070 in cash. Officers also seized packaging materials (baggies) and a scale consistent with drug trafficking. A 32-year-old male, a 29-year-old male, and a 40-year-old female were each charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000. In addition, the 32-year-old male was found to be in possession of $2,370 in cash and a cellular phone. The 29-year-old male had $370 in cash on his person. All three individuals were later released on an Undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court on May 14th, 2026, in Brandon, MB.  

Threats to Police Officer results in Charges Just after midnight on Saturday, Police responded to a report of a male wearing a balaclava, threatening staff at a business in the 1000 block of 18th St. Police located the suspect in the area and after being arrested made numerous threats to kill the officer and his family. The 31year-old male was charged for Uttering Threats, held at the BPS cells and was released on an Undertaking with a Court date in April. Theft Charge Just after 9pm on Saturday, February 21, Police conducted a pedestrian check with a male in the 200 block of 9th St. The 35year-old was the subject of a theft complaint from a retail store that occurred in Brandon on February 11th. He was subsequently charged with Theft Under $5,000 and released on an Undertaking with a scheduled Court date in May.