Oh the humanity! - another obscenely big drug bust

OPP NEWS RELEASE

********************* Ontario Provincial Police/North Bay Police Service - another massive marijuana seizure in Northern Ontario

MATHESON, ON, Aug. 6 - On Friday, Aug 5, 2005, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Drug Enforcement Section team, Project "Northern Gateway" - a joint initiative with North East Region OPP and the North Bay Police Service - seized another massive marijuana outdoor grow, estimated at $20 million, in Northern Ontario.

OPP evidence photo #1 Assisted by members of the, OPP Emergency Response Unit, Ract, K-9 and Matheson OPP, officers executed a Controlled Drugs and Substance Act Search Warrant at 1020 Hislop Road No. 6 in Hislop Township.

More than 18,000 plants were seized in various stages of growth, ranging from two to four feet high.

OPP evidence photo #2

Also seized was offence-related property (tractor, furrow, pump, hoses, hand implements) with an estimated value of $45,000. Arrested at the scene and charged with production of a controlled substance to wit Cannabis Marijuana contrary to Section 7(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are Xian Zhao Li, 39, of Bedale Crescent, Markham, Ontario; and Han Chu Hu, 39, of Lount Street, Toronto.

Both accused are being held in custody pending a bail hearing in Timmins Court Monday, Aug. 8, 2005.

OPP aerial evidence photo

This is the second largest seizure in the area in the past two weeks.

On July 25, 2005, 21,000 plants - the largest seizure ever in Ontario - were seized in an outdoor grow in Iroquois Falls.

*******************