A 28-year-old man from Altona has been arrested in connection with a fentanyl trafficking scheme targeted by Brandon police nearly a year ago.
On January 25th, 2024, Brandon Police Service (BPS) and RCMP seized over 9 kilograms of fentanyl from a traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Continued investigation led authorities to ID two additional people they believe responsible for the acquisition and transportation of approximately 15 kilograms of fentanyl from Alberta to Manitoba between December 23rd, 2023, and January 25th, 2024.
As a result, Brett David Kehler was arrested at Stony Mountain Institution last week Friday for Conspiracy to Traffic a Scheduled I Substance (Fentanyl) contrary to Section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code & Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He was remanded into custody to appear in court in Winnipeg, MB on February 10th, 2025.
Additionally, Cherie Ann Arik, 27 years of age of Brooks, AB was arrested on December 17th, 2024, in Calgary, AB for the offence of Conspiracy to Traffic a Scheduled I Substance (Fentanyl) contrary to Section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code & Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. She was released on a Release Order to appear in court in Winnipeg, MB on February 10th, 2025.
"Fentanyl is a highly addictive, devastating opioid that is at the center of the current opioid epidemic in Canada and has led to the untimely deaths of loved ones across Canada and locally in Brandon. BPS remains committed to identifying and investigating fentanyl traffickers, locally, provincially and across Canada," stated a BPS news release.
Altona Police Service and Winkler Police Service are among the nine law enforcement agencies listed as partners in the investigation including, Correctional Services of Canada, Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Winnipeg Police Service, Calgary Police Service, Falcon Lake RCMP and the Brooks, AB RCMP.