Six illegal cannabis stores closed; $1M in products seized
Article content
The OPP have charged 11 people with 34 offences, shut down six illegal cannabis stores, and seized $1 million in illegal cannabis and tobacco in the Niagara area.
On June 5, nine search warrants were executed by the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) and NRPS Emergency Task Unit members.
The focus was to shut down six storefronts operating illegally under the name Indige Smoke located in Hamilton, Fort Erie, Thorold, Welland, St. Catharines and Leamington.
As a result of the search warrants, more than $640,000 in illegal cannabis and illegal cannabis products, more than $350,000 in contraband tobacco, about $29,000 in Canadian currency, three handguns, one shotgun, ammunition, two ounces of suspected cocaine, digital scales, computers, cellphones and video surveillance systems were allegedly seized.
Recommended from Editorial
“Cannabis remains a lucrative commodity for criminal networks,” OPP Det.-Insp. Anne Goodwin, of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, said in a statement.
“The Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team is focused on disrupting and charging criminal networks involved in the illegal cannabis trade in Ontario. Not only is it against the law to sell or purchase illegal cannabis, but consumers are faced with health risks that come from using untested and unregulated products.”
Article content
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
The OPP alleges Indige Smoke was not authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to sell cannabis or cannabis products and these illegal storefronts will be held under interim closure orders.
Authorities say persons with interest in any of the locations (including owners) who wish to enter these premises may apply to the Superior Court of Justice to get permission and anyone who enters the buildings that are subject to interim closure may be arrested and charged with breaking-and-entering.
Anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of cannabis is urged to contact the OPP’s non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Share this article in your social network
