Project Artemis: Winnipeg police announce more charges in animal cruelty investigation [Video]

Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised.

Winnipeg police have laid additional charges against two Winnipeggers charged with animal cruelty after videos of animals being tortured and killed were uploaded to the Dark Web.

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Const. Stephen Spencer during a Wednesday news conference.

Irene Lima, 55, and Chad Kabecz, 40, were arrested in October following an investigation into animal cruelty. Electronics were seized from their home and analyzed, with police saying hundreds of videos and photographs were found, along with tens of thousands of encrypted communications.

Investigators allege Kabecz created an underground black market network where people had to submit a video of themselves killing an animal to get access. They allege Kabecz and Lima organized content being created and shared and profited from it.

“Between May 20th, 2024, and October 7th, 2024, more than 75 animals were filmed or photographed being tortured and killed. In some of these instances, there …