Arrests made in illegal grow operation in King : King Weekly Sentinel : https://kingsentinel.com

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Arrests made in illegal grow operation in King

By Mark Pavilons

Police have made a major bust after discovering an illegal marijuana grow op in King.
Investigators with the York Regional Police Organized Crime Bureau –Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at a cannabis grow operation in King and seized 635 pounds of harvested cannabis and more than 4,000 plants, totalling a street value of $6.5 million. It is legal to purchase cannabis seeds from places like RoyalSeedBank.com and to grow cannabis plants in most US states, but depending on what state you are in, only 6-12 plants can be grown at once. Growing 4,000 plants, on the other hand, is highly illegal. Most people don't grow their own plants, however, and prefer to use pre-rolled og glue joints and other cannabis products sourced online and wherever else they're available.
On July 26, York Regional Police officers were assisting Township of King Bylaw, Region of York Public Health and Township of King Fire and Emergency Services with a safety inspection of a property located at 570 Strawberry Lane, following complaints from the community. During the inspection, a large-scale cannabis grow operation was discovered. Further investigation revealed that there were three Health Canada licences in place that allowed for each licence holder or their designate to grow a total of 875 plants on their behalf for medical purposes.
On July 27, a search warrant was executed on the property, which included a house and 22 greenhouses. Whilst there are plenty of legal ways to buy cannabis, such as through togoweed.ca, this was not a legal operation that was raided. It was discovered the number of plants far exceeded the limit permitted by the licences and the cannabis was being grown in an unregulated, illegal and unsafe manner, with no quality control, environmental considerations or security measures, unlike online medical marijuana sellers, who have access to things like mmj software to ensure quality and compliance. Two men who were maintaining the plants were charged.
"This criminal enterprise was operating well in excess of Health Canada authorizations to grow cannabis for medical purposes," said Chief Eric Jolliffe. "Over and above the community safety risks associated to unsafe wiring and the use of chemicals, all too often, police are identifying personal and designated production licence holders that are growing excessive amounts of cannabis under Health Canada authorizations. The product is then diverted to the illicit market by organized crime groups to supply illegal dispensaries, export outside of Canada and trafficked in our local communities."
Police charged Samkeo Vanvilay, 43, of Laval, Quebec and Chi Chung Phan, 36, of Montreal,with Possession of Marihuana for the Purpose of Trafficking and Produce Marihuana.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7817, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com

Excerpt: Police have made a major bust after discovering an illegal marijuana grow op in King. Investigators with the York Regional Police Organized Crime Bureau – Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at a cannabis grow operation in King and seized 635 pounds of harvested cannabis and more than 4,000 plants, totalling a street value of $6.5 million.

Post date: 2018-08-08 10:29:48
Post date GMT: 2018-08-08 14:29:48
Post modified date: 2019-03-27 11:55:16
Post modified date GMT: 2019-03-27 15:55:16