Cannabis Act Background:
Although cannabis possession and production has been legalized, it is regulated and it has always remained a criminal offence to produce, sell, distribute, import/export and use cannabis outside of the parameters of both the provincial and federal legislation, specifically the Cannabis Act.
It remains the role of Police to enforce and investigate criminal cannabis incidents and focus on the apprehension and disruption of those who participate in a criminal enterprise of exploiting and ignoring the governing legislation surrounding cannabis and related products.
Police would like to remind the public that the only place to purchase Cannabis Edibles legally is through outlets licenced by the province or the provincial Online Cannabis Store. The illegal Cannabis product operations are not regulated by the Health Unit and have no quality control mechanisms. They could be made in an area lacking proper hygiene and safe food handling procedures, resulting in unsafe edibles.
For more information on Food Safety, refer to www.phsd.ca
Police Investigation:
On September 13th, 2020, the Greater Sudbury Police Service received information of an address in Val Caron manufacturing and producing cannabis products in contravention of the Cannabis Act Legislation.
An investigation was commenced by members of the Greater Sudbury Police Service Drug Enforcement Unit as well as OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) Officers. A Cannabis Act Search Warrant was applied for and granted for Police to attend and search the property. The Search Warrant was executed by the investigators on September 14th, 2020.
As a result of the investigation and Search Warrant execution, 47-year old Don Robichaud of Val Caron will be appearing in court on December 9th, 2020 to answer to the charges of:
• Sec. 354(1)(a)- Criminal Code Canada- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
• Sec. 9(2)- Cannabis Act- Possession of Cannabis unlawfully for the purpose of Distribution
• Sec. 13(1)- Cannabis Act- Production of Illicit Cannabis
The total estimated value of the seizure has a street value of approximately $660,627.00:
• $556,515 Cannabis product
• $585 Canadian Currency
• $42,139 Production and Distribution Equipment
• $61,388 Food Supplies
The Drug Enforcement Unit of the Integrated Crime Section remains committed to working collaboratively with the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and will continue to focus its efforts on major crime operations that pose a direct and elevated threat to the safety, security and wellness of our community. The Integrated Crime Section aims to identify and disrupt organized crime in Greater Sudbury through innovative technology, collaborative partnerships and traditional Police work resulting in the arrests of those involved, holding them accountable for their criminal activities and the seizure of illegal drugs, prohibited firearms and proceeds of crime.
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