Police seize $14M worth of cannabis in St. Catharines

OPP and the Niagara Regional Police Service reportedly raided a St. Catharines greenhouse this week, busting up a major cannabis-growing operation and seizing millions of dollars worth of drugs.

On June 11, police said they searched a Seventh Street address, where they seized some 14,536 cannabis plants worth more than $14 million, as well as 2,212 worth of processed cannabis valued at more than $2 million.

Police charged 10 people with one count each of harvesting cannabis without authorization, contrary to the Cannabis Act 12(6)(a). The accused were released and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

The OPP are continuing to lead an enforcement strategy in collaboration with Ontario police services. The aim of this strategy is to "reflect actionable intelligence" on illegal cannabis operations across the province.

The focus of the strategy is to dismantle organized crime groups, eliminate the illegal cannabis supply, remove illegal cannabis enterprises such as store fronts and online, and target the proceeds of crime and assets.

Police are encouraging any person with information regarding the incident to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or at their nearest police authority.