A 19-month drug and weapons trafficking investigation known as Project Dolor has resulted in the arrest of 15 people, the seizure of 10 kilograms of illegal drugs and numerous weapons, and the laying of 67 charges across southern Manitoba. The joint operation involved nine policing and justice agencies from Manitoba and the United States working together to dismantle a criminal network operating in several local communities. Among those arrested by the RCMP is 47-year-old RM of Stuartburn resident David Penner, who faces multiple drug and firearm charges.

Law enforcement officials emphasized the significance of the operation in protecting local areas from illicit trade. “The efforts of officers working on Project Dolor have been successful in dismantling a criminal network and disrupting the local drug trade in several communities,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, the RCMP’s commanding officer in Manitoba.

Origins and Development of Project Dolor

The joint investigation was officially launched in December 2024 after Winkler Police Service officers approached the RCMP for support. Winkler police initiated the request after learning that multiple kilograms of cocaine were being imported directly into Winkler-area businesses. Project Dolor became a coordinated partnership involving the Winkler Police Service and the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team, an entity that specifically investigates serious and organized crime.

Over the course of 19 months, officers from the RCMP and the Winkler Police Service gathered evidence regarding the operation. Over time, the scale and scope of Project Dolor expanded as investigators discovered that other types of illegal drugs as well as weapons were actively being trafficked through the network.

In the past month, police made a number of arrests supported by search warrants executed at a mix of residential and commercial properties. These search warrants were carried out across several Manitoba communities, including Winkler, the RM of Stuartburn, Thornhill, La Riviere, and McCreary.

Seizures, Charges, and Suspects Involved

Throughout the course of Project Dolor, law enforcement officers seized a major quantity of illicit substances, weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and currency. The seized items include:

Illegal drugs: 10 kilograms of illegal drugs in total, consisting of eight kilograms of cocaine and 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin.
Firearms and ammunition: 13 restricted handguns (three of which were illegally trafficked), 44 non-restricted firearms (the majority of which were unlawfully stored), and thousands of rounds of various ammunition.
Vehicles and cash: Four vehicles with a combined cash value of about $110,000, along with $4,500 in cash currency.
Contraband tobacco: 228 cartons of unstamped tobacco.

A total of 67 charges have been laid so far in the ongoing investigation, with further arrests and charges expected. The 15 suspects taken into custody include 14 males and one female, who reside across 10 different Manitoba communities. Charges have been formally laid against 13 of the 15 suspects, while charges remain pending against two Winnipeg men who were recently arrested. Three suspects currently remain in custody.

Among those facing charges is 29-year-old Tyler Thorvaldson of Carman. Thorvaldson faces 29 charges—the most leveled against any single individual in the investigation so far. He was arrested in February by RCMP Traffic Services during a traffic stop on Highway 2 after officers found two kilograms of cocaine and a prohibited handgun in the vehicle. Thorvaldson remains in custody.

Additionally, RM of Stuartburn resident David Penner, 47, was arrested by the RCMP and charged with trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking psilocybin, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unsafe storage of a firearm.

Multi-Agency Collaboration Across Jurisdictions

Project Dolor represented a multi-agency effort involving nine policing and justice organizations from both Manitoba and the United States. A wide array of RCMP units provided assistance at various stages of the 19-month investigation, including:

Pembina Valley RCMP
RCMP West District General Investigation Section
RCMP East District General Investigation Section
RCMP Traffic Services
Cyber and Financial Crimes Unit
Digital Forensic Services
Forensic Identification Services
National Weapons Enforcement Support Team
Emergency Response Team

In addition to these RCMP units, several external law enforcement and justice organizations assisted with the operation. These contributing agencies included: