Group laundered millions in illicit marijuana sales through Ontario casinos: RCMP
Five people have been charged after over $24 million worth of cannabis goods were seized during a search in connection with an investigation into a drug trafficking and money laundering scheme in the Golden Horseshoe.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Tuesday the result of their investigation, which began in 2017, into the scheme that allegedly used casinos in the Greater Toronto Area and Niagara regions.
The RCMP said with the help of the Ontario Provincial Police and FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada), they discovered that more than $3 million were allegedly laundered from the illegal sale of over 8,000 pounds of cannabis.
As a result, police executed search warrants on five residences and six large-scale marijuana growing operations, resulting in the confiscation of nearly 30,000 cannabis plants, 7,926 pounds of dried cannabis and $1.029 million in cash.
The seized cannabis goods are worth $24,282,112, police estimate. They added that one farm and three homes in the GTA were also restrained.
Police said Zu Wen Chang, Lin Li, Bo Hai Chen, En Quan Chen and Jian Hua Toa are facing a combined 29 charges, including laundering the proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (selling cannabis).
"This investigation, conducted with the assistance of the OPP and FINTRAC, serves as a great example of how a coordinated enforcement effort can contribute to safer communities by disrupting the illegal drug trade and confiscating money laundering proceeds," RCMP Supt. Jeff Cooper said in a statement.
Anyone with information related to drug trafficking, importation or possession is being asked to contact their local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
LIVE SOON Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'