(BRIGHTON, ON) - An investigation in Brighton has resulted in the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of 580 illicit cannabis plants and more than 1,100 pounds of dried illicit cannabis bud.

Officers seized a total of 580 illicit cannabis plants and approximately 1,100 pounds of dried illicit cannabis bud. The combined value of the illegal cannabis is estimated at more than $1.6 million.

As a result of the investigation, the following five individuals were each charged two offences under the Cannabis Act, specifically unlawfully cultivate, propagate or harvest a cannabis plant (s. 12[4][a]) and possession for the purpose of distribution (s. 9[2]):

• Junjiang KE, age 51 of Markham
• Minghua XUE, age 63 of Toronto
• Nenmei CHEN, age 62 of Markham
• Qiao Quan CHEN, age 38 of Scarborough
• Yongzhong KE, age 77 of Markham

The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.