The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Saskatchewan province arrested 16 people on Wednesday, including Romana Didolo, who calls herself “Queen of Canada,” in an ongoing investigation in the rural town of Richmond.

Didolo, a leader of a fringe conspiracy theory group, has been living in an old schoolhouse in the remote village with her followers since September 2023.

Saskatchewan police announced details of the operation at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Officers entered the former schoolhouse at about 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 after receiving a report of an armed person.

Investigators said an extensive investigation was launched after receiving the report, which included ongoing monitoring of potential threats to public safety and the Richmond community. The extensive operation involved forces from across the province and was supported by the Regina Police Special Operations Unit (SWAT). More than 30 police vehicles and two tactical vehicles were on scene.

Investigators said about eight RVs were parked at the location. One team of officers was responsible for clearing and inspecting the RVs, and another team was responsible for entering the building. A total of 17 people were arrested: 10 inside the building, six in the RVs, and one outside a residence. However, police later updated the number of arrests to 16.

Four simulated handguns were also seized.

Investigators stressed that public safety and the lives of officers were a priority, and that all areas of the location were checked before executing the search warrant to ensure that the operation proceeded quickly and without incident.

Romana Didolo rose to prominence during the COVID-19 protests and the emergence of fringe and anti-establishment movements in Canada, and has since gained a following.

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