Eight charged after police dismantle massive illicit cannabis grow operation in Ontario

Eight people have been charged after police dismantled an alleged illicit cannabis grow operation on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and seized nearly $3 million worth of cannabis.

The investigation began in August after the Tyendinaga Police Service started looking into a production site allegedly connected to a non-Indigenous criminal network, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Police executed a search warrant at a property on the territory on September 9 with assistance from several OPP units.

Officers seized approximately 5,560 cannabis plants with an estimated value of $2.78 million, police said.

Another 34 kilograms of cannabis shake, valued at approximately $34,000, was also recovered during the search.

Police also seized $1,880 in Canadian currency and 10 mobile phones.

Eight people, ranging in age from 41 to 69, have now been charged under Canada’s Cannabis Act.

Each person faces charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis for the purpose of distribution.