NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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NIAGARA FALLS, ON) - Two individuals are facing Cannabis Act (CA) charges after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) executed two search warrants at illegal cannabis storefronts in Niagara.
The OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), in partnership with the Haldimand/Norfolk OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), began an investigation in August 2024 into the sale of illegal cannabis from two storefronts located in Niagara Falls. These storefronts were not authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to sell cannabis or cannabis products.
On Sept. 10, 2024, search warrants were executed at each location by members from PJFCET and Haldimand/Norfolk CSCU, as well uniform and Street Crime members from NRPS. The two storefronts will be held under Interim Closure Orders as per section 18(1) of the Cannabis Control Act (CCA).
Persons with interest in any of the locations (including owners) who wish to enter these premises may apply to the Superior Court of Justice to get permission under section 18(4) of the CCA. Anyone who enters buildings that are subject to interim closure without authorization from the Superior Court of Justice may be arrested and charged with breaking and entering, under section 348(1) of the Criminal Code (CC).
As a result of the search warrants, the following items were seized:
- More than $250,000 in illegal cannabis and illegal cannabis products, including dried cannabis, hash, edibles, vapes and shatter
- $1,637 Canadian currency
- A digital video recorder (DVR) system
- Three cellphones
- Two tablets
Lehlohonolo Molefe, age 39 of Toronto, has been charged under the CA and CC for the following six offences:
- possess cannabis for the purpose of selling
- possession of illicit cannabis
- possession of property obtained by crime
- possession of a prohibited weapon
- fail to comply with release order - two counts
The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Sept. 25, 2024, via video.
Misty-Lyn Drozdowsky, age 60 of Port Colborne, was arrested and charged under the CA and CC for the following three offences:
- possess cannabis for the purpose of selling
- possession of illicit cannabis
- possession of property obtained by crime
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Oct. 21, 2024.
This investigation is ongoing. Any person with information regarding the illegal sale of cannabis should contact the OPP's non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122. Alternatively, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
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"The Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to shutdown illegal cannabis storefronts throughout the province. Cannabis is a lucrative commodity for criminal networks and our focus is on the disruption and dismantling of these networks who are involved in the illegal cannabis trade." - OPP Detective Inspector Anne Goodwin, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
About illiegal cannabis
Only the purchase of cannabis through the Ontario Cannabis Store or an Ontario-authorized, licensed retail store is legal. The purchase of cannabis products from unauthorized dealers is against the law.
Legal vs. Illegal Cannabis
- Legal cannabis packages are marked in consistent ways, indicating their authorization. Learn more about the product indicators of legal cannabis.
- The use of illegal cannabis increases personal risk. Learn more from the Government of Canada regarding the risks of illegal cannabis.
- Individuals who purchase cannabis from an illegal source, whether it is a storefront, online or a dealer, are committing a crime.
- Profits from illegal cannabis sales are often laundered to finance other criminal activities including illegal drugs, firearms and human trafficking.
About PJFCET
The PJFCET is an OPP-led joint forces operation that includes members of the Niagara Regional Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, London Police Service, Windsor Police Service, and the AGCO. The PJFCET's role is to enforce and investigate illegal cannabis incidents and focus on the apprehension of those who produce, sell, distribute, import/export and use cannabis outside of the parameters of the law.
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