TORONTO — Ontario RCMP announced Thursday they have charged six people and destroyed nearly 17,000 cannabis plants across three large-scale illegal grow sites in the province, part of a 'complex illicit cannabis production and distribution network.
TORONTO — Ontario RCMP announced Thursday they have charged six people and destroyed nearly 17,000 cannabis plants across three large-scale illegal grow sites in the province, part of a"complex illicit cannabis production and distribution network.
" Police say an investigation began in the summer of 2022 after the Ontario Provincial Police referred the matter to the Mounties. The RCMP estimates the three grow sites could have an annual production value of more than $16 million, and each of the sites was staffed with full-time, live-in workers who did not have legal status to grow cannabis in Canada. Mounties say a criminal network exported the illicit cannabis to the United States and Hong Kong, with further plans to distribute it to Europe. They say the network was also linked to two other illicit cannabis production sites in Ontario that were dismantled by the OPP and the Toronto Police Service. The RCMP alleges millions of dollars in profits from the cannabis ring was laundered through the Canadian banking system by a"sophisticated identity fraud scheme." Police also allege the suspects applied for Health Canada authorizations to produce medicinal cannabis using the identity of people who were not aware of the applications. Five people are facing a rash of charges related to the unlawful cultivation of cannabis and a conspiracy to export it, while a sixth person was charged with identity theft and related offences.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ontario NDP Surges to Victory, RCMP Seeks Suspect, and More Top HeadlinesThis news roundup covers a range of stories, including the NDP's unexpected victory in Ontario, a provincewide arrest warrant issued by the RCMP, luxury real estate in Manitoba, calls to boycott U.S. alcohol in Saskatchewan, and more.
Read more »
Toronto supervised consumption site challenging Ontario law that will close 10 sitesTORONTO — Dozens of supporters packed a Toronto courtroom – and two overflow rooms – on Monday as a supervised consumption site challenged the legality of a new provincial law that will soon shut down 10 such sites and prevent new ones from opening.
Read more »
Toronto supervised drug-use site challenging Ontario law that will close 10 sitesThe province passed legislation last year that banned supervised drug-use sites deemed too close to schools or daycares and is moving to an abstinence-based treatment model
Read more »
Toronto supervised consumption site challenging Ontario law that will close 10 sitesAn Ontario court will hear arguments Monday from a Toronto supervised consumption site challenging the legality of a new provincial law that will soon shut down 10 such sites and prevent new ones from opening.
Read more »
'Potent' ice storm likely to hit huge swath of Ontario, including Toronto: Environment CanadaEnvironment Canada is warning that a 'potent' spring ice storm will likely hit a huge swath of Ontario starting Friday evening and extending into Monday.
Read more »
Massive Ontario pot grow-op had live-in staff, global expansion plans: RCMPSix people are facing charges after a large-scale cannabis network with a estimated annual value of more than $16 million was shuttered by the RCMP, police say.
Read more »