OPP seize nearly $3M in illicit cannabis on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
· Toronto Sun
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Eight men were arrested in a multimillion-dollar cannabis bust on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory east of Belleville.
Ontario Provincial Police say more than $2.8 million in cannabis plants and processed cannabis were seized from the illegal grow operation. The OPP and the Tyendinaga Police Service launched the investigation back in August.
On Sept. 9, officers from seven agencies executed a search warrant at the property on Lower Slash Rd. and seized 5,560 illicit cannabis plants, 34 kilograms of cannabis shake,10 cellphones and $1,880 in cash.
“This operation targeted an illegal cannabis cultivation site operating within our territory,” said Acting Sgt. Nathan Leland of the Tyendinaga Police Service. “While a small number of community members may become involved in such activities, investigations have consistently shown that significant profits generated by these operations often benefit individuals and organized criminal interests from outside the community. Protecting our lands, community safety and the integrity of our territory remains a priority.”
Scarborough residents Alan Cheong, Bao Xia Feng, Cai Xia Fu, Gaofeng Li, Xiu Juan Liu, Chuan Cai Wang and Yiping Wu, along with Mario Maurice Baptiste Jr. of the territory, were charged with cultivating illicit cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Not the first time
An incident of similar nature occurred last year when seven search warrants at six locations were executed on the territory on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario, between Oct. 1 and Oct. 7.
Officers from the OPP, the Tyendinaga Mohawk Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency were involved in the operation, which led to 53 charges against 24 individuals.
In that case, officers seized 46,700 illicit cannabis plants valued at more than $79 million, four pounds of dried illicit cannabis, a quantity of THC extract, 3.7 million contraband cigarettes and 35,600 kilograms of fine-cut contraband tobacco with a combined value of more than $9.6 million.
— With files from Postmedia