The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has shut down an illegal cannabis storefront in London that reopened after being held under Interim Closure Orders in August 2024.
On October 24, 2024, the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) executed a search warrant at an illegal cannabis storefront operating under the name “Spirit River Cannabis” in London. This illegal storefront was shut down in August 2024 by PJFCET and reopened shortly thereafter continuing with the sale of illegal cannabis and cannabis products.
As a result of the search warrant, investigators seized approximately $41,000 in illegal cannabis and cannabis products, $6,700 in contraband tobacco and $2,460 in Canadian currency.
The storefront has been shut down and will be held under Interim Closure Orders as per section 18(1) of the Cannabis Control Act (CCA).
Persons with interest in the location (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).
A 36-year-old of London, has been charged with the following four offences contrary to the Cannabis Act and the CC:
- Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
- Possession of illicit cannabis
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Trafficking in contraband tobacco
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in London on November 29, 2024.
Any person with information regarding the illegal sale of cannabis should contact the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122. Alternatively, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
ABOUT ILLEGAL 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.
