Law enforcement confiscates $8 million worth of illegal cannabis following dismantling of an alleged drug ring spanning from Ontario to Nova Scotia.
Ontario Police Uncover Illegal Cannabis Production Network in Multi-Jurisdictional Investigation
An eight-month investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has led to the dismantling of an illegal cannabis production network that allegedly operated in Ontario and supplied illicit products to Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
The investigation, which began in October 2020, was a collaborative effort between the OPP, the Safer Communities Section - Department of Justice and Public Safety New Brunswick, and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). The investigation also involved provinces beyond Ontario.
Five search warrants were executed across Ontario between October 2020 and July of this year, with locations including Etobicoke and Scarborough in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Brantford, Ohsweken, and Binbrook (near Hamilton).
The investigation resulted in the seizure of 753 pounds of dried illicit cannabis, 28,280 illicit cannabis plants, a large quantity of illicit cannabis products, contraband tobacco, 30 grams of suspected cocaine, and $4,600.
The specific kinds of financial records used to identify the network were not expanded upon in the article. However, Project Legion, a financial intelligence program led by Toronto-Dominion Bank, provided financial intelligence disclosures for the investigation. Project Legion typically looks at suspicious transaction reports, including those with cannabis-related terminology, excessive utility payments, or large purchases at stores.
The Bank of America also contributed to the investigation by providing financial transaction data through the Legion project.
Five individuals, aged between 32 and 59, from the GTA and Brantford, Ont., are facing 18 charges, primarily under the Cannabis Act. All five suspects were released from custody pending court appearances in Toronto. It is not clear as of publication time whether anyone outside of Ontario is facing charges in the case.
The investigation is a significant blow to the illegal cannabis market in Canada and demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-jurisdictional collaboration in combating organised crime. The OPP continues to work with its partners to ensure the safety and security of communities across the province.
