Investigation into cocaine smuggling from Mexico to Canada results in arrests

WINNIPEG – Mounties say they have arrested people from Manitoba and Ontario after a two-year investigation into a criminal group moving large amounts of cocaine into Canada from Mexico.

RCMP say during the course of their investigation, they seized more than two kilograms of cocaine.

They say the group was using sophisticated concealment methods to get the drug across the border undetected, but did not say what those methods were.

The arrests were made after search warrants were executed at a rural property near Rosenort, Man., and at residences in Leamington, Ont.

Frank Banman, 35, of Rosenort is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Daniel Tiessen, 48, and Jacob Thiessen, 29, of Leamington are charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and conspiracy to kidnap.

Jay Shanks, 56, of Leamington is charged with conspiracy to kidnap.

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Kim Anderson

Originally from a northern B.C. town that boasts a giant fly fishing rod and a population of 3,100, Kim moved to Kamloops in 2011 to attend Thompson Rivers University. Kim is as comfortable behind a camera as she is writing on her laptop. After graduating with a degree in journalism, Kim has been busy with an independent freelance writing project and photography work. Contact Kim at kanderson@infonews.ca with news tips or story ideas.

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