A former Winnipeg police officer, Const. Elston Bostock, who served in the force for over twenty years before being dismissed, has admitted to engaging in drug trafficking from 2016 to 2024. During a court session in Winnipeg, Bostock acknowledged selling drugs such as cocaine and psilocybin while on duty, including transactions in police station parking lots and from his official police vehicle.
The federal Crown attorney, Janna Hyman, stated that Bostock’s drug activities were not driven by financial gain but rather resembled social interactions with friends and colleagues. Payments for the drugs sold were received in various forms, including cash, bartered goods, and favors.
The revelation of Bostock’s drug dealings emerged after his cellphone was confiscated by authorities in 2024 as part of an investigation known as Project Fibre. Court records detailed several instances where Bostock distributed drugs like psilocybin, MDMA, and cannabis to fellow officers. For example, in July 2024, he offered MDMA gummies and joints to a colleague as a birthday gift.
Additionally, Bostock was involved in incidents where he provided drugs to acquaintances, such as delivering MDMA gummies during night shifts and arranging for cocaine pickups at his residence. He also coordinated drug transactions with friends, including advising on drug consumption during air travel based on his police background knowledge.
Apart from drug trafficking, Bostock had previously admitted to other offenses, including having traffic tickets dismissed in exchange for alcohol and gift cards, stealing cannabis from a crime scene, disclosing confidential police information, and sending inappropriate messages related to a deceased woman’s photo.
As part of a plea agreement, Bostock’s legal team will seek no less than a penitentiary sentence, while provincial Crown attorneys will cap their request at six years. The sentencing hearing for all charges is set for the upcoming week, pending the completion of a psychological evaluation requested by the defense.