RCMP Seize Cocaine and Unstamped Tobacco in Portage la Prairie Stop

Community Safety Alert for Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

On the afternoon of June 29, 2026, officers from Portage la Prairie RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a truck leaving a business in the 100-block of Saskatchewan Avenue West in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The stop occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. and quickly escalated into a drug and contraband investigation involving three occupants.

During the roadside checks, officers determined the driver did not possess a valid driver’s licence, one passenger was wearing a monitored ankle bracelet, and another passenger was found with unstamped tobacco. All three individuals were taken into custody at the scene. A follow-up search of the vehicle and occupants resulted in the seizure of suspected cocaine, cash, electronic devices, and drug-related equipment.

Official Incident and Charge Details

Following the arrests, RCMP performed a detailed search of the vehicle and the three occupants. Police report that the search led to the discovery of more than 30 grams of suspected cocaine, along with money and items commonly associated with drug trafficking.

Items seized by RCMP include:

• More than 30 grams of suspected cocaine
• Cash (amount not specified)
• Cellphones
• Drug paraphernalia, including a scale

Two individuals now face criminal charges in connection with this stop:

Cole Meeches, 29, of Long Plain First Nation, is charged with:

• Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking
• Failure to comply with a release order

Shaden Meeches, 29, of Portage la Prairie, is charged with:

• Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000

In addition to the criminal charges, Shaden Meeches received a provincial ticket for driving without a valid licence, which carries a fine of $298. Both accused were held in custody overnight pending court appearances scheduled for Tuesday following the arrest.

A 47-year-old woman who was also in the vehicle was issued a ticket for possessing unstamped tobacco, an offence that comes with a fine of $2,542. She was later released from custody after being processed.

Residents who want to better understand crime patterns and enforcement efforts in the area can review the latest Portage la Prairie Crime Statistics & Safety Report and the broader Portage la Prairie, Manitoba crime and safety data to see how incidents like this fit into the overall local safety picture.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident highlights the ongoing role of traffic enforcement in uncovering alleged drug trafficking and contraband activity in Manitoba communities. Cocaine and other illicit drugs can contribute to increased violence, property crime, and addiction-related harms, while unstamped tobacco is often linked to organized smuggling networks that operate outside legitimate regulatory and tax systems.

Community safety is strengthened when residents remain observant and report suspected impaired or unlicensed driving, unusual activity around businesses or parking lots, or signs of street-level drug dealing. If you see behaviour that appears unsafe or criminal, contact your local RCMP detachment or emergency services. For non-emergency concerns, use non-urgent police lines or local crime reporting tools where available. Staying informed about regional crime trends and cooperating with law enforcement helps reduce the presence of illicit drugs and contraband in our neighbourhoods and supports a safer environment for everyone.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the manitoba community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.