The Ontario Provincial Police charged 12 people and seized $5.1 million in cannabis during a search of two residences and a greenhouse on Hodgins Street in Leamington Wednesday.
As part of the investigation members of the Essex County OPP detachment along with the Provincial Joint Force Cannabis Enforcement Team seized over 4,200 plants, over 260 kg of processed cannabis, nearly 80 kg of marijuana shake, and cannabis production equipment.
"The proliferation of illegal marijuana grow operations, as evidenced by this recent significant seizure in Leamington demonstrates the resolve by criminal enterprise groups to profit from illegal activity. To those individuals or groups who continue to profit from these illegal grow operations, the OPP will relentlessly pursue your interests, seize your property and introduce you into the criminal justice system," said Inspector Glen Miller, OPP Essex County Detachment Commander.
The following individuals were charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling and cultivating, propagating or harvesting cannabis plants that are not in their dwelling-house:
Hulqiao GAO, 50-years-old, of Markham, ON. Angel Del-Toro MONTES, 28-years-old of Leamington, ON. Xui Mei JIANG, 60-years-old of Aurora, ON. Ruizhen LIN 62-years-old of Markham, ON. Xin LIN, 58-years-old of North Grenville, ON. Ruixue LIU, 46-years old of Leamington, ON. Gerardo Rafel RAMOS, 48-years-old of Leamington, ON. Carlos Alejandro TORRES-VALENZUELA, 36-years-old of Kingsville, ON. Huiru YANG, 34-years-old of Leamington, ON. Chun Rui ZHANG, 58-years-old of Leamington, ON. Qiaofen ZHANG, 53-years-old of Leamington, ON. Qin ZHANG, 59-years old of Leamington, ON.
The charges have not been proven in court.