Brantford police seized nearly $100 million in illegal cannabis and arrested 18 people after taking down a large scale drug operation on Mohawk Street.
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The drug bust, believed to be the biggest in Brantford police history, is the result of a joint investigation that included members of the Brantford Police TIGER (Tactical Intelligence Generated Enforcement and Response) unit and the OPP provincial joint forces cannabis enforcement team.
“The investigation is another successful endeavor, helping to minimize the threat to our communities caused by the illegal distribution of substances, and the subsequent criminal activity related to it,” Brantford police said in a statement released Monday. “By disrupting the operation of criminal networks, our goal is to assist our communities by reducing the violence and exploitation surrounding the trade.”
The investigation began July 23 and on Aug. 9 police searched an industrial building on Mohawk Street near Crandell Avenue. The search was conducted by the Brantford police emergency response team, the OPP cannabis enforcement team, Canada Border Services Agency, Brantford police high enforcement action team (HEAT), Brantford police criminal intelligence unit and Brantford police uniformed officers.
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It took police more than two days to remove all of the plants from the building, police said.
As a result of the search font found:
- 83,435 cannabis plants in various stages of growth, with an estimated value of $83,435,000 ($1,000/plant).
- 5147.8 pounds of dried cannabis with an estimated street value of $12,869,500 (if sold by the pound)
Police put the total estimated value of the marijuana seized at $96,304,500.
During the search, police also found and arrested 18 people who are suspected to be directly involved and living within the illegal grow operation. They have been charged with unlawfully producing and or cultivating cannabis without authorization.
Police said Monday (Aug. 14) that the investigation is continuing.
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“I am extremely proud of the work of the officers from the Brantford Police Service and would like to thank our partner police agencies as well as the City of Brantford Fire and Public Works Department for their assistance, the Ontario Provincial Police Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team and the Canada Border Services Agency,” Brantford Police Chief Rob Davis said in a statement. “This is yet another excellent example of the important collaboration and teamwork between law enforcement agencies that is keeping our communities safe.”
“These provincial and federal partnerships demonstrate the continued dedicated in keeping communities safe in Ontario.”
Anyone with information related to criminal activity in the community is asked to contact police at 519-756-7050. Those who wish to remain anonymous are asked to call Brant – Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit- a-tip/ .
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