A man who went for a smoke Monday morning inside the entrance of a building ended up being nabbed by Winnipeg police for possessing methampetamine, stolen property and break-in tools, as well as for breaking a city smoking bylaw.

It was one of five separate arrests made Monday that show drug users are looking for a quick way to make cash, police say.

Const. Rob Carver, public information officer with Winnipeg police, says drugs are fuelling property crimes in the city. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

Const. Rob Carver highlighted four other drug-related arrests, all of which happened Monday, with reporters on Tuesday.

One of those cases involved a man reportedly attempting to steal bicycles in an area around the 100 block of Marion Street. Police arrested a 29-year-old who was found with break-in tools and methamphetamine.

'Day in and day out'

In another case, a 21-year-old man was arrested and charged with 19 drug and weapons offences after officers pulled the man over for driving erratically and without a licence plate.

During the stop, officers found drug paraphernalia and three large knives, Carver said.

Another man was found with fentanyl and a weapon after being stopped while pushing a motorcycle in the area of Logan Avenue and Keewatin Street on Monday.

The arrests are no surprise to police who say drug possession is fuelling a need for quick cash that often comes from property crime, according to Carver.

"This is the kind of thing they see day in and day out," he said.