RCMP, city police conduct raids across Winnipeg

A number of search warrants have been executed throughout Winnipeg and surrounding areas Wednesday morning as part of a major sweep by RCMP and city police.

The raids are part of a year-long investigation dubbed Project Divide, involving the two police forces, said RCMP spokeswoman Sgt. Line Karpish.

She could not say anything more about the operation.

However, CBC News has learned the raids were focused on drugs and weapons in relation to organized crime.

There were several significant police takedowns during the morning, each involving about a half-dozen police cruisers. One raid occurred at about 7:30 a.m. at McGregor Street and Dufferin Avenue in Winnipeg's North End.

Another was at William Newton Avenue and Watt Street in the city's Elmwood neighbourhood.

And Cecil Rhodes Elementary School on Elgin Avenue in the Centennial neighbourhood was locked down for a short time during another raid.

Other Winnipeg locations included in the raids were a vehicle dealership on Roblin Boulevard, a highrise condominium in the Tuxedo neighbourhood and the Hells Angels clubhouse on Scotia Street.

Brothers lived in house

Residents in the William Newton area told CBC News they woke up to the heavy police presence and saw some officers beating down the door of a neighbour's house.

The residents, who didn't want to be named, were told by police not to leave their homes. One woman said officers advised her to stay in her basement.

Two brothers lived at the house, which has security cameras mounted on it, according to residents, who said they saw guns being taken out of the home by police.

Officials have yet to release how many people have been arrested and on what charges.

Further details about the raids will be released at a news conference later in the day, Karpish said.