Police have laid charges following an investigation into a tobacco manufacturing facility operated by members of a non-Indigenous criminal network on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
In February 2025, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) began Project PANDA to support the Six Nations Police Service in investigating a criminal network producing and manufacturing contraband tobacco on the territory. The profits were not invested in nor utilized by the community.
In May 2025, the investigation led to the seizure of more than 25,000 kg of contraband tobacco and more than 1,360 lbs of illicit cannabis.
As a result of the ongoing investigation and review of evidence, between Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and Monday, January 26, 2026, eight individuals were arrested and charged with 48 Criminal Code (CC), Excise Act, 2001 (EA 2001)and Cannabis Act (CA)offences.
Laura Fernanda RODRIGUEZ REYES, age 26 of Ancaster, Edson Ivan MARTINEZ ALVAREZ, age 32 of Ancaster, Moises Agustin MENDOZA SANCHEZ, age 22 of Hamilton, Juan Antonio MURILLA MENDEZ, age 36 of Hamilton, and Juan Jose SALAZAR PAZ, age 37 of Hamilton have each been charged with the following offences:
- Trafficking contraband tobacco, s. 121.1(1) CC
- Unlawful manufacturing of a tobacco product, s. 25(1) EA 2001
- Unlawful packaging of a tobacco product, s. 27 EA 2001
- Unlawful possession or sale of tobacco products, s. 32(1) EA 2001
- Possession of tobacco manufacturing equipment, s. 32.1(2) EA 2001
- Possession of illicit cannabis, contrary to s. 8(1)(b) CA
- Possession for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(2) CA
Yuze WANG, age 26 of Markham, has been charged with:
- Trafficking contraband tobacco, s. 121.1(1) CC
- Unlawful possession or sale of tobacco products, s. 32(1) EA 2001
The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Ethan Kanghu CHO, age 26 of Oshweken, has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, device or ammunition, s. 92(2) CC.
Haeki CHO, age 57 of Ohsweken, has been charged with contravention of firearm storage regulations, s. 86(2) CC and unauthorized possession of a firearm, s. 91(1) CC.
The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford on Friday, March 6, 2026.
