Four of five people charged in an inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation known as Project Bustle will go on trial in the Supreme |Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Corner Brook over the next 10 months.Published Jun 18, 2025 • 2 minute readA boat, two vehicles and drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking were seized during the course of the RCMP’s Project Bustle investigation into an interprovincial drug trafficking and money laundering operation. RCMPFour of the five people charged in an inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation known as Project Bustle will go on trial in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Corner Brook over the next 10 months.Patrick Hickey of Corner Brook, Stephen Kelly and Kathleen Pelley of Gander and Sean Gibbons of Steady Brook were arrested in December 2022, but charges weren’t laid until December 2023.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentKelly, 44, and Pelley, 34, had additional charges laid against them in June 2024.Police said the Project Bustle investigation into an organized crime network involving drug trafficking, money laundering and possession of the proceeds of crime between Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador started in February 2021.About eight kilograms of cocaine, destined for Corner Brook, St. John’s and Gander, was seized during the investigation during two different traffic stops and at a storage unit in Corner Brook.Police also seized 1.7 kilograms of illicit cannabis, contraband tobacco, more than $173,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking.In February 2023, Kelly’s Range Rover SUV was seized at his St. John’s residence and an Acura SUV was seized at Pelley’s Gander home.In June 2024, a 2013 Yamaha SX-210 twin-engine boat owned by Kelly was seized from a Gander storage unit, along with a boat trailer. Other items seized included 14 gold bars and coins, from Kelly’s home, and high-end jewelry.Article contentDuring a news conference to announce the additional charges against Kelly and Pelley, it was said that the cocaine seized was 90 per cent pure.Staff-Sgt. David Emberley, of the Federal Policing Eastern Region, said cocaine of that purity is usually stepped on two to three times, meaning it is mixed with fillers and other substances to double or triple its yield. By doubling or tripling the yield, the cocaine would have a street value of $1.6 million to $2.4 million. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized approximately eight kilograms of cocaine, more than $173,000 cash, drug paraphernalia and other items consistent with drug trafficking as part of Project Bustle. Photo by RCMPTrial datesHickey, 26, is charged with trafficking in cocaine. His five-day trial is set to begin Sept. 8.Kelly and Pelley are jointly charged with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.Kelly is also charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.Article contentKelly and Pelley entered not guilty pleas to the charges during an arraignment hearing on June 2.Four weeks have been set aside for their trial, which will begin on March 30, 2026, and continue on the weeks of April 6, 2026, April 27, 2026, and May 4, 2026Read More RCMP in N.L. lay charges in interprovincial drug trafficking investigation Charges filed in St. John’s for man accused in interprovincial drug trafficking operation being moved to Corner Brook Gibbons, 53, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his four-day trial is set to begin on April 15, 2026.The fifth person charged, Clifford Mugford, 34, of Appleton, will go to trial on Dec. 8 in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s. Mugford is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. His trial is set for two weeks.Article content
Five people were charged in December 2023
