8 charged after $2.8M in illicit cannabis seized on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

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

The investigation began in August, when the Tyendinaga Police Service began looking into a production site allegedly involving a non-Indigenous criminal network, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said in a news release Wednesday.

A search warrant was executed at a property on the territory on Sept. 9 with assistance from several OPP units.

Police said officers seized approximately 5,560 cannabis plants valued at $2.78 million, along with 34 kilograms of cannabis shake valued at approximately $34,000.

Officers also seized $1,880 in Canadian currency and 10 cellphones.

Eight people ranging from 41 to 69 years of age, have each been charged under the Cannabis Act with cultivating cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution.

One of those charged is from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory while the other seven are from Scarborough.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing.