Three men, including a high-level cocaine trafficker, a nightclub owner, and a divorced father, have pleaded guilty in relation to a drug bust conducted by Winnipeg police. Mohamed Ali, Abdullah Khan, and Ahmed Dini were arrested in 2024 as part of an investigation known as Project Roasted. The operation led to the apprehension of one suspect at his residence and the other two while leaving a location with approximately two kilograms of cocaine in their possession.
Following concerns of a potential compromise in the drug investigation involving a corrupt officer, authorities obtained a warrant to examine one of the suspects’ confiscated cellphones. This action aimed to establish links between the accused individuals and the then-Winnipeg police officer Elston Bostock, who was later sentenced to seven years in prison for various corruption-related offenses, including sharing confidential police information.
Subsequent analysis of the phone data revealed incriminating photos and text messages implicating Bostock in assisting the criminal activities of the individuals involved in Project Roasted. The court proceedings shed light on the roles played by Ali, Khan, and Dini in the drug trafficking network and how they became entangled in the illicit operation.
Ali, identified as a significant cocaine trafficker, was reported to have overseen the drug distribution activities, while Khan, who also owned a nightclub, admitted to transporting and distributing drugs. Dini, a father of eight, was found with crack cocaine in his possession during the arrests.
During sentencing hearings, it was revealed that financial pressures and personal challenges influenced the decisions of the accused individuals. Khan, for example, confessed to not only drug-related offenses but also attempting to obstruct justice in a separate incident. Despite expressing regret for his actions, Khan received a seven-year sentence.
Similarly, Dini, described as a hard-working father, was found with crack cocaine due to financial hardships during a divorce. Although puzzled by his involvement, the judge sentenced Dini to a conditional two-year term and two years of supervised probation.
Notably, charges against two other individuals implicated in Project Roasted were dropped last year, with reasons for the decision not disclosed by federal prosecutors. The case highlighted the complex web of criminal activities and the consequences faced by those involved in drug trafficking operations.