Ontario Provincial Police say they found approximately 9,110 cannabis plants at a property along Highway 54 in Haldimand County. The total value is estimated at $4.5 million. Police said information they learned from another investigation led them to believe there was illegal activity at the property. On Sept. 22, a search warrant was carried out by the OPP’s Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), Emergency Response Team, Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team and Canine Unit, as well as the Haldimand County Fire Department. Besides the plants, they also found 60 kgs of cannabis shake with an estimated value of $20,000, 45 kgs of cannabis resin worth $70,700 and 2.5 kgs of dried cannabis priced at $5,600. The property was also deemed a safety risk. “Investigators identified significant fire, electrical and property safety concerns at the location,” OPP wrote in a media release. “Following an inspection, the residence was ordered closed to occupancy and hydro service was disconnected.” Police said they arrested two people at the property, while a third fled. A 45-year-old from North York and 44-year-old from Maple were both charged with cultivating cannabis at a location that is not their dwelling-house and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling. Anyone with information that can help with the investigation is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
