Following an extensive police inquiry that exposed allegations of drug trafficking, sharing a photo of a deceased woman, and divulging confidential details, a seasoned Winnipeg officer faces charges and will remain in custody as his bail hearing, initially set for Monday, was postponed.
Constable Elston Bostock, a veteran member of the Winnipeg Police Service for over two decades, was charged last week with various criminal offenses, including disrespecting human remains, trafficking controlled substances, obstructing justice, and distributing an intimate image.
These recent charges come after Bostock was previously charged with multiple offenses alongside two other officers last year. The previous charges against Bostock included breach of trust, theft under $5,000, illegal entry into a residence, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
While Bostock was released following his initial arrest, he was detained after his most recent arrest on August 6.
The case is set to return to court on August 25.
During the Monday hearing, Bostock, dressed in a grey crew-neck sweatshirt and pants, sat in the prisoner’s box and occasionally made eye contact with the filled gallery.
Attendees included relatives of the woman whom Bostock allegedly shared an intimate photo of when she was discovered deceased in a residence in May 2021. The police claim that Bostock used his mobile phone to take a picture of her partially clothed body and later shared it with another officer.
Bostock was arrested in November 2024 and released on conditions. The police continued their probe by obtaining a warrant to search his residence and phone, resulting in the discovery of new incidents and ten additional charges against him. The recent allegations against Bostock pertain to both on-duty and off-duty incidents dating back to 2016.
Specific Accusations
Investigators suspect that Bostock engaged in approximately 84 illicit drug transactions between January 2016 and November 2024, involving substances such as cocaine, oxycodone, and amphetamine.
Moreover, cocaine and psilocybin were found in Bostock’s locker at the East District station. However, there is no evidence linking the drugs to Winnipeg police supplies or suggesting Bostock’s involvement in a sophisticated drug trafficking operation.
WATCH | Winnipeg officer accused of taking intimate photo of deceased woman, drug trafficking:
Following a 16-month investigation, a 22-year veteran of the Winnipeg police force, Const. Elston Bostock, now facing 18 charges, is accused of drug trafficking and taking an intimate photo of a deceased woman.
Furthermore, Bostock is accused of obstructing justice by attempting to have traffic tickets issued to other individuals dismissed between February 2016 and August 2024.
The accusations against Bostock extend to accessing confidential police data on November 2 last year and sharing it with unauthorized persons.
Although the information