Stonewall RCMP dealt with three separate instances of attempted drug smuggling into Stony Mountain Institution over an nine-day period at the end of last month.

Police were called around 8:30 p.m. on May 22nd after reports came in of a suspicious person throwing items over the fence. Officers patrolled the area and found the man and his vehicle. He had several packages in his possession that contained drugs. When he was about to be placed into the police vehicle, he took off. With the help of an off-duty officer, he was found a short distance away.

The packages contained over 300 prescription pills, 60 grams of methamphetamine, and 85 grams of cannabis resin (known as shatter). 32-year-old Christopher Sinclair of Fairford has been charged with Possession of a Schedule / Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Trafficking a Schedule / Substance, Resisting Arrest, and Escape Lawful Custody. He was remanded into custody.

The second incident happened a few days later on the 25th. At approximately 10:50 p.m., a drone was seen flying outside the facility. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) found the drone and the RCMP seized the items. The package contained over 100 grams of cannabis, 230 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of shatter and 50 tablets of prescription medication. No suspect was found.

In a third incident, this time at 8:30 p.m. on the 30th, a suspicious vehicle was spotted near the area. Three men were located and it was determined they had tossed several packages over the fence. These packages contained 150 grams of methamphetamine, 30 grams of fentanyl and 90 grams of shatter.

39-year-old Terrance Goetz from the RM of St. Clements, has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Schedule / Substance, Trafficking a Schedule / Substance, Obstruction, and Identity Fraud.

37-year-old Drew Lloyd of Selkirk has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Schedule / Substance and Trafficking a Schedule / Substance.

36-year-old Brendin Swanson of Oakbank, has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Schedule / Substance, Trafficking a Schedule / Substance, Obstruction, and Identity Fraud. All three were remanded into custody.

"These were a significant amount of drugs that were intercepted before they made their way into Stony Mountain Institution," said Staff Sergeant Jason Vrooman, Detachment Commander of Stonewall/Headingley RCMP. "We were able to respond quickly due to good communication and a strong partnership with the Correctional Service of Canada. We will continue to work with CSC to stop the smuggling of illicit drugs into Stony Mountain Institution."

The CSC estimates that the institutional value of the drugs seized are over 1.4 million dollars.

Anyone with information on the drone incident is asked to call the Stonewall RCMP at 204-467-5015, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.