Police make arrests in $3.1M pot bust

On September 20, 2016, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Sudbury Unit, with the assistance of members from the OPP Espanola Detachment, OPP North East Region Emergency Response Team, and OPP Aviation Services, arrested and charged two individuals with drug related offences following the execution of a search warrant.

The arrests and charges stem from an investigation into a large scale outdoor marihuana growing operation.  A Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant was executed at a property in the community of Sables-Spanish Rivers Township and resulted in the seizure of 3100 marihuana plants in various stages of growth.

The estimated street value of the marihuana plants seized is $3,100,000.

Fei CHEN age 36, and Kan ZHONG age 34, both from Markham, Ontario, were located at the property and have each been charged with the following offences:

• Production of Marihuana, contrary to Section 7 (1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Both of the accused persons have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on November 7, 2016 in Espanola.  The investigation into the grow operation continues.

Any person with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.tipsubmit.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.