Three individuals, including a high-level cocaine trafficker, a nightclub owner acting as a drug courier, and a recently divorced father, have admitted guilt in connection to a drug bust in Winnipeg. Mohamed Ali, Abdullah Khan, and Ahmed Dini were charged in 2024 as part of Project Roasted, an extensive investigation into a drug trafficking network. The arrests took place as they left Stella’s on Pembina Highway with approximately two kilograms of cocaine in their possession.
Following the arrest, concerns arose that the drug investigation had been compromised by a corrupt officer, Elston Bostock. Bostock, a former veteran constable, was sentenced to seven years in prison this year after confessing to various corruption-related offenses, including sharing confidential police information with external parties.
A subsequent search of the seized cellphones revealed incriminating evidence, including photos of Bostock with criminal associates and text messages indicating his involvement in providing police information to the accused individuals. Ali, the main orchestrator of the drug operation, confessed to possessing cocaine for trafficking purposes in Winnipeg and Niverville.
Similarly, Khan, who was the owner of the Moonlight Lounge nightclub, admitted to transporting a significant quantity of cocaine and engaging in obstructive behavior following a shooting incident at his establishment. Despite having no prior criminal record, Khan was sentenced to seven years for his involvement in drug trafficking and obstruction of justice.
Ahmed Dini, a divorced father of eight, was also implicated in the drug bust, with police discovering crack cocaine in his apartment during the arrests of Ali and Khan. Despite facing financial hardships, Dini agreed to store drugs in his residence, a decision he deeply regrets. As a result, Dini received a two-year conditional sentence and two years of supervised probation.
The court proceedings shed light on the intricate web of individuals involved in the drug operation, with charges against two co-accused being dropped last year for undisclosed reasons. The convicted individuals are set to face sentencing in the coming months, with joint recommendations from their legal representatives.
