Large illegal pot busts in Chatham-Kent

CHATHAM-KENT — In the past six months, the Chatham-Kent Police Intelligence Unit has located, investigated and dismantled four illegal marijuana grow operations in the community.

On September 16, 2020, CKPS Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant at a greenhouse facility on Maynard Line. Over 7300 illegal plants were seized with an approximate street value of $7.3 million, with a summons has been issued for a 48-year-old London man.

Then, on January 8, 2021, CKPS Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant at a property on Richmond Street in Chatham. Officers seized 9004 illegal plants, with an approximate street value of $9 million, along with a large amount of Canadian cash.

A 34-year-old Markham man and 62-year-old Stouffville man were both arrested inside the building and charged with cultivating and possession of cannabis for the purposes of selling. A summons has been issued for a 58-year-old Markham man for the same offences.

On January 8, 2021, emergency crews responded to a fire at a building on Grand Avenue East in Chatham. When the fire was extinguished, it was apparent that the property was being used as an illegal grow operation.

A warrant was obtained and executed, resulting in 489 illegal plants being seized with a total street value of $489K.

A summons has been issued for a 62-year-old Kitchener woman for the offences of cultivating and possession of cannabis for the purposes of selling.

One of the recent illegal grow ops busted by Chatham-Kent Police.

Photo submitted

On January 15, 2021, CKPS Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant at another property on Richmond Street in Chatham.

A total of 8580 illegal plants were seized with a total street value of $8.6M. A

46-year-old Markham man, a 26-year-old Scarborough man, 24-year-old Oshawa man, 52-year-old Markham woman and 26-year-old North York man, were all located hiding inside the building.

They were arrested and charged with cultivating and possession of cannabis for the purposes of selling. They were released pending a future court date of February 18, 2021.

In total, Chatham-Kent Police has seized over 25,000 illegal marijuana plants, with a total street value of $25.5 million, which have now been removed from the streets.

These sophisticated operations are exploiting the regulations set by Health Canada by diverting cannabis authorized to be grown for a personal medical purpose to the illegal market.

By cutting off the illegal supply, police can reduce the criminality that results from these lucrative criminal networks. It is also important to remember that these facilities are not regulated or inspected by Health Canada.

Chatham-Kent is not planning on targeting those who are growing cannabis legally for their own personal use or storefronts who have legally obtained a permit.