Mounties bust drug trafficking ring in northern Manitoba First Nation

Dozens have been charged after RCMP dismantled an alleged drug trafficking ring in northern Manitoba. Jon Hendricks has more.

The Manitoba RCMP has busted an alleged drug trafficking network operating in a northern First Nation community, alleging the ring is responsible for violent incidents and arson in the area.

Mounties said 27 people are now facing charges following a six-month investigation—dubbed Project Derry. The investigation followed several violent incidents in the community, including an arson that destroyed the Bunibonibee band office.

“I think everyone knows, and we all know, there’s been an escalation in violence in many of our First Nation communities in Manitoba,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, commanding officer with the Manitoba RCMP.

“In the majority of these instances, the violence is tied to the drug trade.”

As part of Project Derry, officers worked to dismantle a criminal organization within the First Nation that was arranging the shipping, processing, packaging and transportation of drugs into the community. These drugs include cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl and carfentanil.

Police allege individuals with the criminal network were then distributing drugs to local traffickers while also handling the storage and dissemination of weapons.

During the investigation, officers also found some buyers who were purchasing oxycodone were instead given fentanyl. It alleges float planes were being used to fly alcohol into the community.

So far, 51 charges have been laid against 27 suspects. Eighteen of the suspects live in Bunibonibee Cree Nation, with the rest living in Winnipeg and Thompson.

The charges, which have not been proven in court, include conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance, trafficking a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Of the 23 suspects arrested, 22 remain in custody. RCMP is searching for four additional suspects who face charges as well. Warrants for their arrests have been issued.

Officers also seized nine firearms, about two kilograms of cocaine packaged for sale, hundreds of liquor bottles, and hundreds of oxycodone and fentanyl pills as part of the investigation. The street value of the contraband is valued around $1.2 million.

“To be clear, the fact that we’re discussing Project Derry with all of you today does not mean that our investigation is complete,” said Supt. Jeff Asmundson with the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team.

“Our team continues to investigate. More arrests and charges will be laid as we continue to dismantle this criminal organization.”

Police note the investigation has a major impact on public safety in Bunibonibee Cree Nation, noting that calls to Oxford House RCMP were nearly halved in November compared to the previous month. In the first week of December, Oxford House RCMP received a 67 per cent reduction in calls for service compared to the same period in 2024.