Liquor thefts on radar of justice department

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This article was published 04/11/2019 (1781 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Justice Minister Cliff Cullen says the provincial government is doing its utmost to reverse the alarming trend of brazen thefts at provincial liquor stores.

Cullen told the Free Press the justice department is working closely with police and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to find a solution. Winnipeg police are receiving 10 to 20 reports a day of thefts at liquor marts.

“Clearly the department of justice is in continual discussion with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries around what we can do to prevent or apprehend the individuals who are causing these problems. So there certainly is a lot of dialogue and back and forth. I know Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries have brought in specialists in this area, there’s been a lot of work done in terms of what can be done to mitigate the damage,” Cullen said.

“From my perspective as the minister of justice, our Crown prosecutors are doing extensive work in terms of making sure that we can build cases on these individuals that are causing havoc. So I look forward to some positive stories on that front in the very near future.”

Cullen would not say if there are any plans to convert liquor store operations to those in place for the new privately run cannabis retail outlets, where products are kept behind a counter.

“I’m sure that has been part of the discussion over at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. And again from my perspective as the minister of justice, we’re going to continue to work with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries as we go forward,” Cullen said. “We in justice want to make sure that we are working with police as well, in terms of the apprehension of these individuals and getting those people off the street.”

— staff