The year-long Project Woolwich investigation targeted a network that rerouted cannabis grown under Health Canada’s medical regime into the illegal market.[1] Police across the country worked the case with United States border officials.[1] On 13 August 2020 officers executed raids throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Niagara Region, in Leamington and in British Columbia, arresting eight people.[1] They seized more than 100,000 plants and 2.5 million Canadian dollars.[1]
Cross-border shipments
Investigators said the group moved large volumes of illegal cannabis from British Columbia to Ontario and seized shipments bound for the United States alongside large shipments of United States currency headed for Canada.[1][2] Police estimated the total duty loss on the seized cannabis at more than 42 million dollars.[1] Detectives described the accused as a sophisticated criminal enterprise rather than members of a known organised-crime group.[1] In all, 15 people were charged with 135 offences under the Cannabis Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code.[2]
