Three individuals, including a high-level cocaine trafficker, a nightclub owner acting as a drug courier, and a divorced father, have admitted to their involvement in a drug bust orchestrated by Winnipeg police. Mohamed Ali, Abdullah Khan, and Ahmed Dini were apprehended in connection to Project Roasted, an extensive investigation into a drug trafficking ring. The arrests took place after police intercepted the suspects leaving Stella’s on Pembina Highway with approximately two kilograms of cocaine in their possession.
A subsequent search of one of the men’s cellphones raised concerns about potential compromise in the drug investigation. This led to suspicions of a connection between Ali, his associates, and a former Winnipeg police officer, Elston Bostock, who was later sentenced to seven years in prison for corrupt activities, including divulging confidential police information.
Upon reviewing the cellphone data, incriminating evidence was found, including photos of Bostock with criminal associates and text messages indicating his involvement in providing police information to the accused individuals. While details about the targets of Project Roasted were limited previously, recent court proceedings shed light on the roles played by the convicted trio and how they became entangled in the drug enterprise.
Ali, identified as a significant cocaine trafficker, oversaw operations in Winnipeg and Niverville, where authorities discovered drugs, cash, and related paraphernalia during covert searches. Khan, the nightclub owner, was implicated as a drug courier and confessed to possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as attempting to obstruct justice in a separate incident involving a shooting at his establishment.
Dini, characterized as a dedicated father facing personal challenges, was found with crack cocaine in his apartment and admitted to storing the drugs during a vulnerable period in his life. Despite his remorse and family commitments, Dini received a conditional sentence following a joint recommendation from legal representatives. Charges against two other co-accused in the drug operation were dropped last year, with reasons for the decision remaining undisclosed.