Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say officers have seized more than 72,000 cannabis plants — valued at around $122 million — as part of a major operation into an alleged cannabis production network on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in eastern Ontario, linked to organized crime. The Tyendinaga Police Service and the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau began an investigation into illicit cannabis production sites controlled by non-Indigenous organized criminal networks in the Mohawk territory between Belleville and Napanee in April. Officers from the OPP, the Tyendinaga Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency executed search warrants at four sites on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on Sept. 23 and 24. Ten people, including six non-community members, were arrested and charged under the Criminal Code and the Cannabis Act, the OPP said in a news release on Friday. All 10 people are charged with cultivating or harvesting a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis. Three people are also facing firearm charges, and charges of mischief, and possession of property obtained by crime. Five residents of B.C., one from Newmarket, Ont., one from Belleville, Ont., one from Oshawa, Ont., and two from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory are accused. Officers also halted what police called the unlawful diversion of water from the Bay of Quinte. “Non-community members have jeopardized community safety and taken advantage of our land,” said Tyendinaga Police Service Acting Chief Chris Brinklow. “Investigators discovered illegal dumping sites with significant environmental impacts. A local quarry was depleted negatively affecting the water table within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The projected profits have served only to benefit organized criminal networks. While a small number of community members may have been involved, the financial gains were not reinvested into the community,” he said. “The exploitation of Indigenous communities and lands by organized crime is a serious violation of our rights and responsibilities - and it will not be tolerated.” Police estimate that the value of the 72,000 plants seized is around $122 million. Three firearms, ammunition and approximately $530,000 worth of other property were also seized. “The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau is committed to working alongside the Tyendinaga Police Service to address organized criminal activity, including illegal cannabis production,” said Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart. “Through close collaboration with Tyendinaga Police Service, the OPP Indigenous Policing Bureau and its Provincial Liaison Team, we are taking meaningful steps to support community safety.” The investigation remains ongoing. The OPP says its Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit has been engaged to investigate any proceeds of crime offences and assist in the seizure of offence-related property. List of charged personsOPP say the following people have been charged. All 10 have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court in Belleville on Nov. 5, 2025. The charges have not been proven in court. Eugene Agymang, 41, of Newmarket, Ont. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Lap-Thi Le, 40, of B.C. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Van Duong Le, 58, of B.C. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Van Son Le, 39, of B.C. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Hong Quang Nguyen, 42, of B.C. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Huu Phlloc Nguyen, 60, of B.C. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Jessi Hill Corby, 46, of Belleville, Ont. - Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis x2
Bryan Paul Brant, 56, of Oshawa, Ont. - Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Ian Weed, 43, of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory - Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Mischief, interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
Tara Weed, 43, of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory - Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Mischief, interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Cultivate or harvest a cannabis plant or material that is illicit cannabis
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