An eight-month illicit cannabis investigation has led to charges against five individuals and the seizure of $8 million in illicit cannabis, including dried cannabis, cannabis plants, edibles and vapes, as well as contraband tobacco.
In October 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), in partnership with the Safer Communities Section, Department of Justice and Public Safety New Brunswick began Project SHORT, an illicit cannabis investigation spanning several provinces.
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) also contributed financial intelligence disclosures under the public-private partnership Project Legion. The investigation identified a network allegedly producing and distributing illicit cannabis products in Ontario and transporting them to New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
Between October 2024 and July 2025, members from OPP PJFCET, OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Brant County OPP Community Street Crime Unit and OPP Emergency Response Team executed five search warrants in Etobicoke, Ohsweken, Scarborough, Brantford and an illicit cannabis grow operation in Binbrook.
Investigators seized the following items with approximate quantities, valued at more than $8 million:
- 753 lbs of dried illicit cannabis
- Large quantity of illicit cannabis products, including edibles and vapes
- 28,280 illicit cannabis plants in various stages of growth
- 400 cartons of contraband tobacco
- 30 g of suspected cocaine
- $4,600 in Canadian currency
Five individuals have been charged with a total of 18 offences contrary to the Criminal Code (CC), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Cannabis Act (CA).
Wei CHEN, age 54 of Brantford, Ji Ye YIN, age 59 of Scarborough, and Xiao Li JIANG, age 52 of Scarborough, have each been charged with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime, s. 354(1)(a) CC
- Possession for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(2) CA
- Distribution without authorization, s. 9(1)(a) CA
- Possession for the purpose of selling, s. 10(2) CA
Terry CHAN, age 41 of Markham, has been charged with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime, s. 354(1)(a) CC
- Selling illicit cannabis, s. 10(1)(a) CA
- Possession for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(2) CA
- Distributing cannabis, s. 9(1) CA
- Possession for the purpose of selling, s. 10(2) CA
Patrick MUHIRE, age 32 of Brantford, has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – cocaine, contrary to s. 5(2) of the CDSA.
The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on a later date.
