Three individuals, including a prominent cocaine trafficker, a nightclub proprietor acting as a drug courier, and a recently divorced father, have admitted to their involvement in a drug bust operation conducted by Winnipeg police. Mohamed Ali, Abdullah Khan, and Ahmed Dini were implicated in the 2024 Project Roasted investigation, which targeted a drug trafficking network. The arrests took place after police apprehended one of the suspects at his residence and intercepted the other two leaving Stella’s on Pembina Highway with approximately two kilograms of cocaine in their possession.
Subsequent to concerns of potential corruption within the investigation, authorities obtained a warrant to examine one of the seized cellphones, suspecting a connection between Ali and former Winnipeg police officer Elston Bostock. Bostock, a seasoned constable, was sentenced to seven years in prison for various corruption-related offenses, including divulging confidential police information to external parties.
The investigation revealed incriminating evidence on the cellphones, such as photos of Bostock with criminal associates and text messages indicating Bostock’s assistance in accessing police data for the group. Details emerging from recent court proceedings shed light on the backgrounds of the convicted individuals and their roles in the drug operation.
Ali, described as a high-level cocaine trafficker, orchestrated drug trafficking activities in Winnipeg and Niverville, leading to his admission of guilt for possession of cocaine for trafficking purposes. Khan, the nightclub owner, admitted to transporting a significant quantity of cocaine and was also charged with obstruction of justice in a separate incident. Dini, a father of eight, was found with crack cocaine in his possession during the arrests and expressed remorse for his involvement during tough financial times post-divorce.
Despite being puzzled by their actions, the judges presiding over the cases acknowledged the severe repercussions on the accused individuals and their families. While some charges in Project Roasted were dropped, the reasons behind these decisions were not disclosed by federal prosecutors.