Saugeen Shores Police have charged a number of people after a lengthy investigation into the illegal sale of cannabis products.
Police say they've been investigating the sale and delivery of illicit cannabis in Saugeen Shores and surrounding areas since February.
They say on April 24th, members of the CID Unit, uniformed members, with the assistance of the Owen Sound and Hanover Police executed a Cannabis Act search warrant at three locations including homes in Southampton and Port Elgin and a business in Port Elgin.
Eight people have been charged with several Cannabis Act and Criminal Code offences.
Police say they seized large quantities of packaged product including: dried cannabis, cannabis extract and edibles with a street value of just under $90,000.
Police also seized a little over $34,000 in cash as proceeds of crime and three vehicles as offence related property with an estimated value of $90,000.
Police are reminding people the sale and distribution of illicit cannabis is a criminal offence under the Cannabis Act.
They say the only lawful sale and distribution of cannabis products in Ontario is from a licenced provincial storefront or the online Ontario Cannabis Store.
They add, unregulated cannabis products can be potentially dangerous to consume, as items for sale have not been tested or inspected. Of concern, police seized cannabis edibles that mimicked packaging similar to candy marketed towards children.
The follwing peopple are charged, police did not release their names.
45 year old male and 43 year old female, both from Port Elgin
Possession for the purpose of selling Cannabis – Cannabis Act 1(2)
Possession for the purpose of distributing Cannabis – Cannabis Act 9(2)
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – Criminal Code 354(1)(a)
Instructing commission of an offence for a Criminal Organization – Criminal Code 467.13
33 year old Southampton male
Possession for the purpose of selling Cannabis – Cannabis Act 1(2)
Possession for the purpose of distributing Cannabis – Cannabis Act 9(2)
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – Criminal Code 354(1)(a)
Commission of an offence for a criminal organization – Criminal Code 467.12
17 year old male (Young Person)
Possession for the purpose of selling Cannabis – Cannabis Act 1(2)
28 year old Cambridge male
Possession for the purpose of selling Cannabis – Cannabis Act 1(2)
22 year old Port Elgin male
Distribution of Illicit Cannabis 9(1)(a)(iv) C.A
20 year old Port Elgin female
Possession for the purpose of selling Cannabis – Cannabis Act 1(2)
32 year old Southampton male
Possession for the purpose of selling Cannabis – Cannabis Act 1(2)
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – Criminal Code 354(1)(a)
All charged persons have been released with a court date.