News release

RCMP Federal Policing-Eastern Region provides sentencing update on Project Badminton

April 10, 2026 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

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RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region welcomes the conviction and sentencing of Erik Mello in relation to Project Badminton, a 30-month investigation that significantly disrupted a criminal organization responsible for drug and human trafficking in the province.

In August 2023, drug related charges were announced against Mello, then 25 years old. 

On March 26, 2026, Mello pled guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) in St. John’s Provincial Court. 

He was issued an 18-month Conditional Sentence Order and a ten-year firearm prohibition. The court also issued a DNA order, which will result in his profile being stored in the National DNA Data Bank. 

Mello is the second person charged in Project Badminton to enter a guilty plea. In April 2024, Dominic Delisle received a seven-year sentence for charges related to guns, drugs and receiving financial benefit from sexual services. 

“RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region is committed to investigating and disrupting the work of organized crime networks across Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond, in order to make our communities and our province safer,” said Inspector David Emberley. “We are pleased to see another guilty plea in relation to Project Badminton, and thank our investigators, the RCMP-RNC Joint Force Operation West and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for their diligence and exceptional work.”

RCMP Federal Policing - Eastern Region targets criminal activity involving national security, transnational and serious organized crime and cybercrime throughout the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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