The Ontario Provincial Police have charged 15 people, of who 10 are from Niagara, in a massive crackdown on what they call a network of illicit cannabis producers and distributors.
It was on August 13 that police raided several locations and seized a laundry list of illicit items, including:
- 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 two .22 pistols, one 9mm Glock, one AR 15 assault rifle and two shotguns
- Grow equipment worth more than $1 million
- Numerous high-end jewelry items
- Four vehicles
- More than $2.5 million in Canadian currency
- $580,828 in US currency
- $379,383 in Chinese and South Korean currency
On Thursday, police released an addendum of charged persons, revealing that a total of 135 have been laid against individuals from Niagara, GTA, and British Columbia.
Charges range from Knowingly distributing illicit cannabis and possession, to Careless storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited device or Ammunition.
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.
The total duty loss for the illegal cannabis seized is estimated at more than $42 million, according to OPP.
