Ten people are facing charges after an investigation into an organized criminal network operating on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
Police say over 72,000 cannabis plants with a value of over $122-million and three firearms have been seized after several search warrants were executed at four production sites.
The investigation began back in April when the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) were looking into illicit cannabis production sites controlled by non-Indigenous organized crime networks.
Most of the profits from the operations were not being invested in or utilized by the community.
As a result of the investigation, officers also halted unlawful diversion of water from the Bay of Quinte.
The following was seized with approximate quantities:
- 72,000 illicit cannabis plants valued at more than $122-million
- Three firearms
- Ammunition
- Numerous items as offence-related property, valued at approximately $530,000
“Non-community members have jeopardized community safety and taken advantage of our land. Investigators discovered illegal dumping sites with significant environmental impacts,” said Acting Chief Chris Brinklow, Tyendinaga Police Service. “A local quarry was depleted negatively affecting the water table within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The projected profits have served only to benefit organized criminal networks. While a small number of community members may have been involved, the financial gains were not reinvested into the community. The exploitation of Indigenous communities and lands by organized crime is a serious violation of our rights and responsibilities – and it will not be tolerated.”
Paul Brant, 56 of Oshawa faces a number of charges including:
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm,
contrary to s. 91(1) of the Criminal Code (CC) - Careless storage of a firearm, s. 86(1) CC
- Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit
cannabis, s. 12(4)(a) CA
He has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in November.
