Police have seized $12 million worth of cannabis plants after a grow op in Chapleau was busted yesterday afternoon.
A news release issued today by the North East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) states that five individuals, all from the Greater Toronto area, have been charged as a result.
Full text of the OPP news release follows:
CHAPLEAU - On May 19, 2021 at approximately 1 p.m., members of the North East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) executed a Cannabis Act (CA) search warrant at a commercial property on Martel Road in Chapleau.
A search of the premises revealed a large illegal cannabis growing operation. More than 12,000 plants in various stages of growth were seized as well as lighting and electrical equipment. The estimated street value of the cannabis is $12 million.
As a result of the investigation, Xingran Fan (21 years of age), Yang Liu (22 years of age), Xiaofang Wang (53 years of age), Fuxian Zhang (33 years of age) and Jing Zhang (35 years of age), all from the Greater Toronto area, were arrested and charged with:
• Cultivate, propagate or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling-house, contrary to section 12(6)(a) of the Cannabis Act (CA)
The accused persons are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on July 5, 2021 in Chapleau.
