(HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON) - An eight-month illicit cannabis investigation leads to charges against five individuals and the seizure of $8 million in illicit cannabis, including dried cannabis, cannabis plants, edibles and vapes, as well as contraband tobacco.

Investigators seized the following items with approximate quantities, valued at more than $8 million:

• 753 lbs of dried illicit cannabis
• Large quantity of illicit cannabis products, including edibles and vapes
• 28,280 illicit cannabis plants in various stages of growth
• 400 cartons of contraband tobacco
• 30 g of suspected cocaine
• $4,600 in Canadian currency

Five individuals have been charged with a total of 18 offences contrary to the Criminal Code (CC), the Controlled drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Cannabis Act (CA).

Wei CHEN, age 54 of Brantford, Ji Ye YIN, age 59 of Scarborough, and Xiao Li JIANG, age 52 of Scarborough, have each been charged with the following offences:

• Possession of property obtained by crime, s. 354(1)(a) CC
• Possession for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(2) CA
• Distribution without authorization, s. 9(1)(a) CA
• Possession for the purpose of selling, s. 10(2) CA

Terry CHAN, age 41 of Markham, has been charged with the following offences:

• Possession of property obtained by crime, s. 354(1)(a) CC
• Selling illicit cannabis, s. 10(1)(a) CA
• Possession for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(2) CA
• Distributing cannabis, s. 9(1) CA
• Possession for the purpose of selling, s. 10(2) CA

Patrick MUHIRE, age 32 of Brantford, has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine, contrary to s. 5(2) of the CDSA.

The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on a later date.