Details of RCMP cocaine investigation in asset seizure process – Winnipeg Free Press

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Selkirk believe the two suspected cocaine traffickers from southern Ontario traveled to Manitoba to make money, but instead it was the Mounties who stole more than a quarter of a million dollars in cash.

Now the province's director of asset forfeiture has filed a lawsuit asking the Court of King's Bench to allow the Manitoba government to keep the $250,000 seized as part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's investigation.

The individuals named in the May 17 complaint, Jonathan Lawrence Yuzwak, 41, and Samantha Boone, 33, are accused of possession of cocaine for the purpose of drug trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime for the purpose of money laundering.

An affidavit in support of the lawsuit provides new details about the Mounties' investigation, called “Project Distance,” which was first announced in April.

The investigation began in January and focused on a group of individuals allegedly trafficking cocaine in Selkirk, the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation area and parts of Northern Ontario.

Court documents show that the Mounties got the money quite by accident when Yuzwak was observed meeting with one of the people they were already after.

Among those targeted by the RCMP was Tyler Johnnie, 33, a Brokenhead man who was allegedly operating from a home in Selkirk and who police observed on April 4.

As the Mounties followed Johnnie through Winnipeg, they observed him park near a Subway restaurant on Main Street and walk inside. Another man – Yuzwak – was carrying a heavy shopping bag and met Johnnie outside the sandwich shop before they got into Johnnie's car together, the Mounties allege.

Yuzwak got out a minute later as the Mounties watched him place the grocery bag into Johnnie's open trunk before Johnnie immediately left while officers followed him back to the house in Selkirk.

Yuzwak, apparently carrying something heavy in his bag, got into a rental car from London, Ontario near the subway.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police believe it was a major drug deal and Yuzwak got away with a wad of cash.

Boone, the Mounties claim, observed other vehicles and people in the parking lot during the deal.

RCMP followed Yuzwak and Boone in the rental car to a hotel on Regent Avenue West, where they checked in and took several bags during multiple passes. Mounties arrived and arrested Boone outside, where she expressed disbelief that police had caught her, RCMP said.

Once inside, officers entered the hotel room, where Yuzwak was allegedly counting and bundling cash on a desk, and arrested him.

Officers were waiting to serve search warrants for the hotel room where they found cash, the home in Selkirk where they found cocaine, and the vehicles where they found more cocaine.

In Selkirk, Mounties arrested Johnnie and Wesley Straight, 39, another Brokenhead man. Both were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

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Erik Pindera
reporter

Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Pressprimarily focusing on crime and justice. The Winnipegg native attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the local newspaper in Kenora, Ontario, and reported for television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik.

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