Canna Clinic raids turned up hundreds of kilograms of pot products, more than $350K cash
Early morning raids at several Canna Clinic locations in Toronto and Vancouver last week ended with the seizure of 200 kg of marijuana and related products, as well as over $350,000 in cash, Toronto police allege.
The raids were carried out last Thursday at 19 locations, 13 of which were in Toronto. Seven of the Toronto raids took place in Canna Clinic stores, with the other six happening at private residences, said Mark Pugash, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service.
The operation, known as Project Lincoln, resulted in the arrest of 80 Canna Clinic employees who were charged and released on scene according to Toronto police.
In Vancouver, warrants were executed at two Canna Clinic locations, two private residences, and one safety deposit box.
According to Toronto Police drug squad detective Jeffrey Ross, a large amount of Canadian currency was seized from the safety deposit box.
Denman Island grow-op busted
Additionally, a private residence on Denman Island was raided and a large grow-op dismantled.
"We believe cannabis marijuana produced there would have been diverted to illegal sales here in Toronto," said Ross.
"The group under investigation in Project Lincoln is believed to originate in British Columbia as the owners and operators of the Canna Clinic illegal marijuana dispensaries," he said.
In total officers seized a total of 178 kg of marijuana, 48 kg of THC edible products, 6.8 kg of shatter, a highly potent version of pot, and 19 kg of cannabis resin. One vehicle was also seized, police say.
"The law still makes what these people are doing illegal," Pugash said last week. "We've been absolutely clear that as long as the law says selling cannabis without federal government authority remains a crime, we will continue to enforce the law."
He added that Toronto police have executed warrants at these same locations before.
"We will continue to enforce the law — if we charge people with repeated offences, that's an issue for the courts to deal with."
Last June, police charged 23 people after raiding three Canna Clinics and one Cannabis Culture location in Toronto. At the time, they said the marijuana and other illegal substances they seized were worth more than $289,000.
With files from Karin Larsen
