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Police in Ontario shut down two illicit cannabis shops in Niagara Falls

September 25, 2024 | Morton Robertson

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) executed two search warrants at unlicensed cannabis storefronts in Niagara earlier this month.

On Sept. 10, 2024, search warrants were executed at two locations by members from the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) and Haldimand/Norfolk OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), as well as uniform and Street Crime members from Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS).

The OPP’s PJFCET, in partnership with other jurisdictions and agencies, began their investigation in August 2024 into the sale of illegal cannabis from two storefronts located in Niagara Falls. These storefronts were not authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to sell cannabis or cannabis products.

Police say they seized More than $250,000 in illegal cannabis and illegal cannabis products, including dried cannabis, hash, edibles, vapes and shatter, $1,637 Canadian currency, along with a digital video recorder (DVR) system, three cell phones, and two tablets.

OPP say that the two storefronts will be held under Interim Closure Orders as per provincial cannabis rules. Anyone who wishes to enter these locations, including the owners, will need to apply to the Superior Court of Justice to get permission under provincial law. Anyone who enters the buildings without such authorization could face arrest and be charged with breaking and entering.

Lehlohonolo Molefe, age 39 of Toronto, has been charged under the CA and CC for the following six offences:

possess cannabis for the purpose of selling
possession of illicit cannabis
possession of property obtained by crime
possession of a prohibited weapon
fail to comply with release order – two counts

The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Sept. 25, 2024, via video.

Misty-Lyn Drozdowsky, age 60 of Port Colborne, was arrested and charged under the CA and CC for the following three offences:

possess cannabis for the purpose of selling
possession of illicit cannabis
possession of property obtained by crime

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Oct. 21, 2024.

“The Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to shut down illegal cannabis storefronts throughout the province,” said OPP Detective Inspector Anne Goodwin, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau. “Cannabis is a lucrative commodity for criminal networks and our focus is on the disruption and dismantling of these networks who are involved in the illegal cannabis trade.”