The OPP and partners have dismantled a significant illegal cannabis network in the Niagara Region.
A 42-year-old Leamington man is among 15 individuals charged with 135 different offences.
The large-scale “Project Woolwich” was a 12-month long investigation and involved police forces across Canada and U.S. border officials.
The sizeable illegal cannabis production and distribution network was dismantled on August 13th by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) and partners.
The illegal operation reportedly diverted cannabis grown for medical use to the illegal market. Police seized more than 101,000 cannabis plants and $2.5 million Canadian, more than half a million dollars in US currency and nearly $400,000 in Chinese and South Korean currency.
Several residents of the Niagara Region, Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and British Columbia are facing numerous charges under the Cannabis Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Criminal Code of Canada.
The Leamington man faces a total of 11 charges including two counts of Cultivate Not in Dwelling House, two counts of Knowingly Distribute Illicit Cannabis, Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing, two counts of Possession for the Purpose of Selling, Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 and two counts of Sell Cannabis to an Adult.
The OPP say that $42 million is the estimated tax loss from the operation.
In total, police seized 101,049 illegal cannabis plants, 1,921 pounds of illegal cannabis bud, 21 pounds of illegal cannabis shatter, two ounces of cocaine, three pounds of illegal cannabis hash, 22 pounds of illegal cannabis oil, hundreds of illegal cannabis vape pens, six firearms including tan AR 15 assault rifle and two shotguns, grow equipment worth more than $1 million, high-end jewellery items, four vehicles, more than $2.5 million in Canadian currency, $580,828 in US currency and $379,383 in Chinese and South Korean currency.
OPP add that the only way to purchase legal cannabis in Ontario is through the online Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) or in-person at an Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)-authorized private retailer. Police say purchasing legal cannabis is the only way to ensure the cannabis has met the health and safety standards set out by the Government of Canada and Ontario.
Illegal cannabis often does not match what is being advertised, recent testing of illegal cannabis products indicated lower than advertised THC levels and the use of banned pesticides. The purchase of cannabis from anywhere other than the online OCS or an authorized private retailer could lead to a fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year.
The PJFCET is responsible for enforcing the cannabis laws and investigating criminal enterprises that are exploiting or abusing the legal cannabis market.
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