(From left, RCMP Insp. Stefan Thoms, Const. Colleen Noble and Angela Crocker, executive director of Thrive, which runs Blue Door, a program that supports victims of sexual exploitation.) RCMP say they have dealt a major blow to an organized crime network involving drug and human trafficking. Mounties held a press conference this afternoon to display weapons and drugs seized as part of Project Badminton. The network is believed to have been funneling cocaine and other drugs into Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly the province’s west coast, from other parts of Canada. However, the investigation also uncovered evidence leading to the first human trafficking charges ever filed in this province. Thirty-five-year-old Dominic Delisle is one of four people arrested so far in the operation. He faces multiple weapons and human trafficking charges. Delisle is accused of forcing at least one victim to provide sex or other services for immediate gain. Twenty-four-year-old Erik Mello faces multiple gun charges, but police say additional charges are pending against both men. Two others, who have not yet been named, face drug-trafficking charges. The RCMP also credits local organization Thrive and its Blue Door program for supporting victims of exploitation and providing information that helped the investigation. Mello was released from custody and is due back in court in Corner Brook in November. Delisle remains in custody with his next court appearance on September 27 in St. John’s. RCMP display evidence seized during Project Badminton, a drug and human trafficking investigation. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/3O6ClzXwf4 — Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) September 15, 2022
