Winnipeg police issue arrest warrants for 2 men in connection with drug bust

Winnipeg police have arrested four people and have issued arrest warrants for two others considered armed and dangerous in connection with a drug bust that yielded guns, drugs and other items.

Search warrants were executed and the tactical team was deployed to a storage locker at the corner of Notre Dame Avenue and Erin Street, and to a home on Spence Street, between Sargent and Ellice avenues, just before 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday, police said in a Friday news release.

Police seized the following items:

• $25,745 in Canadian cash.
• 545 grams of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $163,500.
• 327 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $32,700.
• 232 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $23,200.
• T3 pills.
• Approximately 19,400 illegal cigarettes, with an estimated street value of $19,640.
• Drug packaging and paraphernalia.
• Loaded .22 calibre rifle.
• 2 detachable magazines for the .22 calibre rifle.
• 2 stolen saxophones and 2 stolen guitars, values at $6,589.

Investigation into the drug ring started in November, police said.

Officers observed two suspects in a 2004 Jeep Compass attend the storage locker around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. A traffic stop was initiated but the vehicle fled eastbound down Notre Dame Avenue.

While attempting to evade police, the vehicle collided with multiple vehicles near the intersection of Sargent Avenue and Edmonton Street, including a school bus with its safety lights activated, police said.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the collisions.

The Jeep was located unoccupied on St. James Street, between Silver and St. Matthews avenues, around 8:40 a.m. Officers found and seized 13.3 grams of fentanyl from the vehicle, according to police.

Winnipeggers Cory Kozmenski, 47, and Kevan Anderson, 41, have been identified by police as having fled in the Jeep Compass. Warrants for their arrest have been issued for a total of 36 offences related to drug trafficking, firearms and court breaches.

In connection with their investigation, officers located a 42-year-old man at the home on Spence Street just before 10:30 a.m., and he was taken into custody.

The following items were located during his arrest:

• 327 grams of cocaine.
• 190 grams of methamphetamine.
• 103 grams of fentanyl.
• 240 illegal cigarettes.
• Contaminated functioning scale.

Three others, ranging in age from 26 to 46, were also arrested in connection with to the investigation. They each face multiple charges tied to possession and trafficking.

Police have advised the public not to approach either of Anderson and Kozmenski. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.