Cannabis seized in Leamington bust

LEAMINGTON – On May 12, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Joint Force Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) executed Cannabis Act search warrants at two residences and one greenhouse location on Hodgins Street in Leamington.

PJFCET, members of the Essex County Detachment, OPP Essex County Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), along with members of the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU), seized over 4200 cannabis plants, over 260 kilograms of processed cannabis, nearly 80 kilograms of marijuana shake and a large quantity of marijuana production equipment.

The total value of seized cannabis is estimated to be over $5.1 million dollars.

Twelve individuals have been charged under the Cannabis Act (CA) with Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, section 10(2) CA and Cultivate, Propagate or Harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling-house, Section 12(6) (a) CA.

Seven of the people charged hold Leamington addresses, while one is from Kingsville and the rest from the Greater Toronto Area.

The accused will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Leamington at a later date.

The investigation is ongoing.

The PJFCET is responsible for enforcing the cannabis laws and investigating criminal enterprises that exploit or abuse the legal cannabis market.