The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has shut down an illegal cannabis storefront in Leamington and arrested an individual for offences under the Criminal Code (CC) and Cannabis Act (CA).
On November 6, 2024, the Essex County OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with assistance from the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), executed a search warrant at the illegal cannabis storefront operating under the name “Island Fire Cannabis” in Leamington.
As a result of the search warrant, investigators seized quantities of illegal dried cannabis and other illegal cannabis products, including edibles, shatter and vape cartridges. The illegal cannabis and cannabis products have an estimated value of $13,500.
The storefront has been shut down and will be held under Interim Closure Orders as per section 18(1) of the Cannabis Control Act (CCA).
Persons with interest in the location (including owners) who wish to enter these premises may apply to the Superior Court of Justice to get permission under section 18(4) of the CCA. Anyone who enters buildings that are subject to interim closure without authorization from the Superior Court of Justice may be arrested and charged with breaking and entering, under section 348(1) of the CC.
A 39 year old female resident of Chatham, has been charged with the following three offences contrary to the CC and the CA:
· Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on December 30, 2024.
Any person with information regarding the illegal sale of cannabis should contact the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122. Alternatively, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
ABOUT ILLEGAL CANNABIS
Only the purchase of cannabis through the Ontario Cannabis Store or an Ontario-authorized, licensed retail store is legal. The purchase of cannabis products from unauthorized dealers is against the law.
Legal vs. Illegal Cannabis
- Legal cannabis packages are marked in consistent ways, indicating their authorization. Learn more about the product indicators of legal cannabis.
- The use of illegal cannabis increases personal risk. Learn more from the Government of Canada regarding the risks of illegal cannabis.
- Individuals who purchase cannabis from an illegal source, whether it is a storefront, online or a dealer, are committing a crime.
Profits from illegal cannabis sales are often laundered to finance other criminal activities including illegal drugs, firearms and human trafficking.
ABOUT PJFCET
The PJFCET is an OPP-led joint forces operation that includes members of the Niagara Regional Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, London Police Service, Windsor Police Service, and the AGCO. The PJFCET’s role is to enforce and investigate illegal cannabis incidents and focus on the apprehension of those who produce, sell, distribute, import/export and use cannabis outside of the parameters of the law.