Five charged after York police seize $3.4M of illicit cannabis in Markham
York Regional Police charged five Markham residents after searches at three Markham homes and a commercial unit in Toronto, seizing more than 1,300 pounds of illicit cannabis and more than 30 jars of cannabis oil extract. Police valued the drugs at more than $3.4 million and charged all five with possession of cannabis for distribution under Project Eclipse.
🇨🇦 Markham, York Region, Ontario · Ontario, Canada
York Regional Police arrested the primary suspect and searched a Markham home on
15 May 2026.[1]Five Markham residents were later charged: Tien Chen, 59; He
Jin Jiang, 43; Junjuang Ke, 52; Yun Qing Chen, 50; and Yongzhong Ke, 78.[1]All five are charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of
distribution.[1]Tien Chen faces an additional count of the same charge and
one count of possessing a scheduled substance.[1]
On 21 May, officers searched two more Markham homes and a commercial shipping
unit in Toronto.[2]The searches turned up more than 1,300 pounds (about 590
kilograms) of illicit cannabis.[3]Officers also seized more than 30 jars of
cannabis oil extract.[3]Police put the combined street value of the drugs at
more than $3.4 million.[1]At the first home, officers also seized Canadian
currency and a substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine.[1]
Police launched Project Eclipse in May after a tip that a suspect was
distributing illicit cannabis from a Markham home.[4]Police allege the
suspects were part of a network trafficking cannabis throughout the area.[1]
Photos and video
Illicit cannabis from the Project Eclipse seizure, which police valued at more than $3.4 million. Photo: York Regional Police handoutPhoto details
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Source: CTV NewsCannabis seized in the Project Eclipse investigation, in a York Regional Police photo published with the article. Photo: York Regional Police handoutPhoto details
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Source: CTV NewsPolice carry seized illicit cannabis during the Project Eclipse investigation. Photo: York Regional Police handoutPhoto details
StratCannstratcann.comYork Regional Police Seize More Than 1,300 Pounds of Illicit Cannabis, Arrest Five in Ontario
Open questions the AI reported
Police give the cannabis weight as more than 1,300 pounds, so 589.67 kilograms is a lower-bound conversion.
The $3.4 million is a police street-value estimate for the drugs combined, possibly including the suspected methamphetamine; no cannabis-only value was given.
No weight was reported for the 30 jars of cannabis oil extract.
No amount was reported for the Canadian currency seized.
The quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine was not reported.
The three Markham homes and the Toronto commercial unit are not further identified.
NewmarketToday names only four of the five accused and omits He Jin Jiang from its list.
NewmarketToday says the investigation began last March, while the police release and other outlets say it began in May 2026.
No plea, court date or court outcome was reported.
Granby police raided an apartment on rue Neil on 10 November 2026 without making any arrests, following an investigation opened in August into suspected cannabis sales. Officers seized more than 100 grams of dried cannabis, THC concentrate and edibles alongside suspected methamphetamine, psilocybin, weapons and trafficking equipment, and said charges could follow.
City police in Saint-Jérôme executed two search warrants on the morning of 9 November 2026 in the Lafontaine sector, targeting a 59-year-old man in an investigation into suspected cocaine trafficking and illicit cannabis distribution. About ten officers took part and the operation was still under way, with the seizure tally and any charges to follow.
Sûreté du Québec officers searched a home on rue Guindon in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon on 5 November 2026 and seized more than two kilos of cannabis, four long guns and an electroshock weapon. The force said the search followed information from the public and that its investigation is continuing; no arrests were reported.
Police in Quebec arrested two people in five searches in Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières on 5 November 2026, part of a cannabis-contraband investigation. Officers seized more than 302 kilograms of cannabis products, including edibles, dried and concentrated cannabis and hashish, along with methamphetamine, cash and contraband cigarettes, and released both suspects pending a later court date.
