Ontario police recently announced two raids of illicit cannabis retailers, one brick and mortar location called Pot of Gold Medicinals, and an online retailer and delivery service called BC BUDZ ON WHEELS, both operating in Sarnia.
On December 8, 2020 Ontario Provincial Police – Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, with assistance from the Sarnia Police Service executed a warrant in the 1800 block of St. Clair Parkway, which is the retail location of Pot of Gold Medicinals and Edibles for not operating legally under the Cannabis Act.
A 35-year-old male and a 45-year-old male that were present and involved in the operation of the location were arrested. Both were charged with illegally possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling under the Cannabis Act.
Officers seized approximately $1,043,110 in various forms of cannabis (bud, oils, edibles, etc.) and $2,965.00 in currency.
As part of the same investigation, the Cannabis Enforcement Team also executed a warrant at a residence in the 600 block of Secreteriate Drive in the Town of Corunna on December 8, 2020. At the residence officers arrested a 42-year-old female and three men (38, 32, and 64 years of age). All four face the same charge of illegally possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling under the Cannabis Act.
During a search of the residence officers located and seized $5,770 worth of cannabis products, $21,870 in Canadian currency, and $178.00 in American currency.
In a second and separate investigation officers from the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team had been investigating a company by the name of BC BUDZ ON WHEELS which had been illegally selling various quantities of cannabis and cannabis related products from their on-line store. The company then offered delivery of their illicit products within the City of Sarnia and its surrounding areas.
Another website called Sarnia Budz on Wheelz is still available online. It has a “BC Budz on Wheelz” logo on the page. It advertises an array of products from dried flower to edibles, concentrates, topicals and more.
On December 9, 2020 a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle driven by one of the suspects as he left a premise in the 200 block of Queen Street. As a result of the traffic stop officers seized a quantity of cannabis and currency.
The 23-year-old male driver of the vehicle was charged with illegally possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing, and the sale of cannabis to an individual 18 years of age or older, all under the Cannabis Act.
On the same day, officers also executed a warrant at the residence located in the 200 block of Queen Street. A search of the residence located approximately $301,840 in cannabis and cannabis edibles, along with $2,225 in currency. The vehicle driven by the accused was also seized in relation to the commission of an offence.
A second suspect (a 36-year-old male) is also being sought in relation to this investigation. This suspect is facing similar charges.
