Police seize approx. $8M in cannabis plants in Niagara Falls

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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NIAGARA — A search warrant conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team has resulted in the seizure of cannabis plants with a potential street value of approximately $8 million.

This investigation began after police became aware of a strong cannabis odour emitting from what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse located on Don Murie Street in Niagara Falls.

Upon executing the search warrant on April 17, 2024, the following items were seized:

• More than 2,500 clone cannabis plants
• More than 13,000 vegetative and mature budding cannabis plants

As a result of this investigation, the following individuals have been charged under the Cannabis Act with Production- Cultivate Cannabis Without Authorization:

• Chamrong Ladadas, 49 of no fixed address
• Arthit Seesai, 31 of no fixed address
• Xueqi Gao, 59 of no fixed address
• Li Cheng Feng, 58 of no fixed address
• Wen Guang Zheng, 66 of Markham

The suspects were released from custody and will appear before an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on May 30, 2024.

This investigation was supported by:

• OPP West Region Emergency Response Team
• OPP Urban Search and Rescue, Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear and Explosive Response Team
• OPP-led Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit
• Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS)

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with any information about the production of unauthorized or illegal cannabis is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or to visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The accused people facing charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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