Twenty-one new charges laid as part of Project Derry

October 6, 2026 - Bunibonibee Cree Nation, Manitoba
From: Manitoba RCMP

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Twenty-one new charges have been laid against 11 people as part of a 12-month investigation into a criminal organization operating on the Bunibonibee Cree Nation.

The Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team, which investigates serious and organized crime activities in the province, launched Project Derry in June 2025.

The investigation uncovered a criminal organization that trafficked the shipment and distribution of drugs into the community – including cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl and carfentanil. Individuals working within the organization then distributed the drugs to local traffickers while handling collection and payments, enforcement and the storage and dissemination of weapons.

Last December, RCMP announced charges had been laid against 27 people in connection with Project Derry.

Since that time, MILET officers have continued to gather and review evidence as part of the operation, with support from Oxford House RCMP and local First Nation Safety Officers. As a result of this work, 11 people were arrested or re-arrested over the last three months and charged with new offences.

From June 15-30, investigators worked with Oxford House RCMP and Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) to arrest or re-arrest nine individuals on charges of conspiracy to traffic firearms. These charges were laid after officers seized 15 firearms during their year-long investigation – including some with obliterated serial numbers.

On Sept. 15, MILET officers arrested or re-arrested five individuals who were already incarcerated in connection with three separate shootings that targeted multiple residences on the Bunibonibee Cree Nation over a five-day period in June 2025. Those incidents include:

• On June 12, 2025, several people shot repeatedly into a residence. A 50-year-old female was hit with a pellet from a shotgun but was not seriously injured.
• On June 13, 2025, several people shot repeatedly into the same residence on Bunibonibee First Nation. One of the people charged was shot during this incident and transported to hospital in Winnipeg for treatment.
• On June 16, 2025, several people shot repeatedly into a second residence. No one was believed to have been injured as a result of this incident.

“These incidents reflect a flagrant and reckless disregard for human life, with multiple homes fired upon in an apparent attempt to threaten, intimidate and harm community members. We are fortunate no one was seriously hurt,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, commanding officer for the RCMP in Manitoba. “We thank our officers for their ongoing efforts to dismantle this criminal organization, bring these individuals to justice and make this community safer for the residents who call it home.”

“Our community members deserve to feel safe in their own surroundings so their families can thrive and live peacefully,” said Bunibonibee Cree Nation Chief Sheila North. “I want to thank the members of our community for standing strong under stressful situations and I want to thank the many people who worked tirelessly to make our community safer, including our First Nations Safety Officers, the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team and local RCMP members."

In total, 35 people have now been charged as part of Project Derry, resulting in more than 70 criminal charges being laid. To date, 10 people have been convicted as a result of Project Derry.

Since the initial arrests last fall, RCMP have seen a 27 per cent decrease in reports of violent crime in the community, including a 55 per cent decrease in serious violent crimes – such as aggravated assaults, arsons and firearm-related offences.

The investigation continues.

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