News

Canadian prisoners eager to get more cannabis

Published on February 21, 2025 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Adobe Stock/the oz.

Cannabis and other illicit goodies were seized from Canadian prisons recently.

On Jan. 29, staff at the medium-security Drummond Institution in Quebec confiscated a package containing hashish, cannabis, shatter and tobacco, valued at $97,000.

“The Correctional Service of Canada uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions,” the CSC said in a news release. “These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.”

On Jan. 31, a package with methamphetamine, cannabis concentrates, cellphones and chargers, and USB adapters was intercepted at the Grande Cache medium-security institution in Alberta. The estimated value was $60,100.

CSC has set up a telephone tip line at 1‑866‑780‑3784.

In other crimes involving the unauthorized form of cannabis, RCMP in Alberta arrested a BC man for his role in a $47-million Western Canadian money-laundering scheme.

Harry Seo, 30, of Burnaby is one of seven people charged for being part of a plot to launder money through online transactions of cannabis

“The accused is also alleged to have been financially compensated by the criminal organization for laundering the proceeds of crime and for concealing its origins from law enforcement, regulatory authorities and financial institutions. Additionally, the accused also operated two illicit cannabis-related business in the Edmonton and Burnaby areas,” RCMP said in a news release.

Five people have already been convicted.