Police bust $100 million illegal cannabis business in Ontario

Brantford Police seized nearly $100 million in illegal cannabis and arrested 18 people in a large-scale drug operation in Brantford, Ontario, the police services said in a statement on Monday.

A collaboration between Brantford Police and Ontario Provincial Police’s enforcement units, the investigation revolving around large-scale, unauthorized cannabis harvesting began in July 2023.

Police said a Cannabis Act search warrant was obtained and executed at an industrial building located on Mohawk Street near Crandell Avenue on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

The investigation led to the discovery of 83,435 cannabis plants, with an estimated value of $83,435,000 ($1000/plant) and 5147.8 pounds of dried cannabis with an estimated street value of $12,869,500. The combined value of the cannabis bust was nearly $100 million, police said.

Police said that they located 18 people who seemed to be directly involved with, and living within the illegal grow operation. The individuals were arrested and stand charged with unlawfully producing and/or cultivating cannabis without authorization.

Police said that the investigation is still ongoing.

Rahat Sandhu