More than $600K of black market cannabis seized in Ontario pot shop raids, store searched in Brampton

Brampton | Caledon | Ontario | Crime | Latest News |

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Published February 9, 2024 at 1:00 pm

Some of the more than $600,000 in illicit cannabis seized in nine raids, including one in Brampton. (Photo: OPP)

Dozens of charges have been laid following police raids at alleged black market cannabis stores across Ontario, including one in Brampton.

The OPP says officers served warrants at eight different locations and one vehicle on Tuesday in Barrie, Brampton, Toronto, St. Catharines and Vaughan.

One of the raids was at B Loud Cannabis located on Kennedy Road South in Brampton, which is “a premium cannabis dispensary in Brampton,” according to its website.

Investigators say all of the businesses were not authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (ACGO) to sell cannabis or cannabis products.

In total police say more than $600,000 worth of black-market cannabis was seized in the nine raids, including 63 kilograms of dried cannabis flower, over 900 packages of cannabis edibles, 536 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape pens.

Police also seized some 283 packages of psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms), a set of prohibited brass knuckles, mobile phones and around $50,000 in Canadian currency.

All of the retailers have been put on interim closure orders under the Cannabis Control Act (CCA) and police say seven people including two from Brampton were arrested and charged with a combined 26 offences under the Cannabis Act.

Roza Sath and Thanh Cuong Tran, both 36 and of Brampton, have been charged with multiple offences including possess cannabis for the purpose of selling.

All of the accused have been released from custody and will appear before an Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on Feb. 26.

The takedowns also have police reminding members of the public that it is illegal to purchase cannabis from anywhere other than online through the Ontario Cannabis Store or an Ontario-authorized retail store.

“Individuals who purchase cannabis from an illegal source, whether it is a storefront, online or a dealer, are committing a crime,” the OPP says.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of cannabis should immediately contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppers.ca.

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