News release
RCMP Federal Policing-Eastern Region provides updates on Project Bustle
May 1, 2026
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Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP
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RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region welcomes the conviction of 45-year-old Stephen Kelly in relation to Project Bustle, a three-year investigation into interprovincial drug trafficking by an organized crime network.
On June 14, 2024, RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region announced the latest charges in Project Bustle. At the time, the project was one of the largest money laundering operations investigated by the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador with a value of over $1 million of illicit income identified.
During the investigation, police executed a series of search warrants in St. John’s, Appleton, Humber Valley and Gander, and seized:
- approximately eight kilograms of cocaine
- more than $173,000.00 cash
- 1.7 kilograms of illicit cannabis
- a quantity of contraband tobacco
- drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking
- a Range Rover SUV
- an Acura SUV
- a 2013 Yamaha SX 210 twin-engine boat
- a 2013 Shore Lander boat trailer
- a quantity of gold coins
- a quantity of gold bars
- high-end jewellery
- encrypted cellular phones
Stephen Kelly was one of four individuals arrested and charged in relation to this investigation. On April 27, 2026, Kelly pled guilty to charges of:
- Conspiracy to traffic (cocaine)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Trafficking (cocaine) – four counts
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 – five counts
- Laundering the proceeds of crime.
He is expected to appear in Corner Brook Supreme Court for sentencing beginning on September 28, 2026.
“Project Bustle is one of the largest money laundering investigations the RCMP has executed in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a value of over $1 million of illicit income identified. I commend our investigative team and our partners for their diligence and great work,” said Inspector David Emberley, RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region. “Disrupting organized crime in our province and removing cocaine from our communities has direct and meaningful impacts on public safety, and so we pleased to see this outcome.
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.
Background: https://rcmp.ca/en/nl/news/2024/06/4352689