WINNIPEG -- Nine people have been arrested and 11 others are wanted in a series of break-ins and thefts in Western Canada.
Winnipeg police say over the last year, vehicles, blank passports, two RCMP uniforms and many other items were stolen from homes and businesses.
Insp. Barry Kostchuk says more than 140 charges are pending and $300,000 worth of stolen property has been recovered.
The investigation started in Winnipeg and police say it led them to suspects who were also active in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Two people were arrested in Calgary last month after two Mountie uniforms and police equipment were found in a home.
Kostchuk says there is no sign of gang involvement, but the group was semi-organized.
"Most of them are known to each other and would communicate and share information regarding property, and go out and either search out property or sell property," he said at a news conference Tuesday.
"I don't really know what exactly their motives were -- obviously money. I do know that several of the group are involved in the methamphetamine drug trade, so obviously where there's drugs, money -- everything goes hand in hand."
