(TORONTO, ON) – An investigation into illicit cannabis production and distribution in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has resulted in the seizure of nearly $1.5 million in illicit cannabis and illicit cannabis products, as well as charges against Toronto residents under the Cannabis Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Criminal Code of Canada.

On September 1, 2021, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), with assistance from the Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force and Drug Unit, executed three Cannabis Act search warrants in relation to illicit cannabis production and distribution in the GTA. These warrants were executed at a residence in Toronto, an industrial unit in Scarborough and an industrial unit in Etobicoke.

The following three individuals have been charged with 12 offences under the Cannabis Act, CDSA and Criminal Code of Canada, and will appear at an Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on October 6, 2021.

Davey YIP, 41-years-old of Toronto is charged with:

• Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing, Cannabis Act
• Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, Cannabis Act
• Cultivate, propagate or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling-house, Cannabis Act
• Possession of a Schedule III drug (Psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking, CDSA
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000, Criminal Code of Canada

Thieu VUONG, 41-years-old of Toronto is charged with:

• Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing, Cannabis Act
• Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, Cannabis Act
• Cultivate, propagate or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling-house, Cannabis Act
• Possession of a Schedule III drug (Psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking, CDSA
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000, Criminal Code of Canada

Zun Zhan GAO, 66-years-old of Toronto is charged with:

• Cultivation, propagation or harvest a cannabis plant that is from seed or plant that is illicit cannabis, Cannabis Act (two counts)

The OPP is continuing to lead an enforcement strategy which includes other Ontario police services. This strategy will reflect actionable intelligence on illegal cannabis operations. The focus of the strategy is to dismantle organized crime groups, eliminate the illegal cannabis supply, remove illegal cannabis enterprises such as store fronts and online, and target the proceeds of crime and assets.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.