More details are emerging about a police sting that spanned three major Canadian cities and spanned two years.
Multiple people in Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver have now been arrested in what law enforcement officials are calling Project Sideshow, a lengthy drug trafficking investigation.
About two years ago, Winnipeg police began building a case against men and women suspected of drug trafficking and using ATMs to launder money.
Wire taps were used, and surveillance video was gathered about cocaine coming into the city.
On Wednesday, Winnipeg police raided numerous homes across the city, while police in Ontario and B.C. did the same.
A number of arrests were made in Winnipeg, and several ATMs were seized — some, sources tell CBC, were ripped right out of the ground.
Sources have told CBC officers obtained search warrants to intercept multiple kilograms of cocaine at the Winnipeg airport during the investigating, to build proof drug smuggling was going on.
Those bags were returned, and according to sources, allegedly distributed by suspects to associates in nearby hotel rooms.
Arrest warrants have been issued for several individuals, but Winnipeg police are remaining mum about the project.
Police said they would possibly release more information about the raids next week.