Second man charged in connection with drug and human trafficking in NL has been convicted

    Monday, 13 April 2026 06:00

    By Tonya Organ

    RCMP Inspector David Emberley says they were both arrested by RCMP RNC JFO West near Howley where police seized close to a pound of cocaine and a prohibited handgun.  

    The second person charged in connection with a 30-month investigation into drug and human trafficking in this province was convicted in court recently. Dubbed “Project Badminton,” resulted in charges being laid against Erik Mello in August of 2023. On March 26th, Mello was handed an 18-month Conditional Sentence Order, a ten-year firearm prohibition and a DNA order. In April 2024, Dominic Delisle received a seven-year sentence for charges related to guns, drugs and receiving financial benefit from sexual services. RCMP Inspector David Emberley says they were both arrested by police on the west coast. RCMP RNC JFO West arrested them near Howley and seized close to a pound of cocaine and a prohibited handgun.  

    Emberley says human trafficking is happening right here and it’s evident with the individual being charged. Meanwhile, he says buying even the smallest amount of illegal drugs supports criminal organizations, violence, extortion and everything that comes with it.  Both Mello and Delisle entered guilty pleas in court. 

     

     

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