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RCMP dismantles massive illicit cannabis network in Ontario

Published on April 4, 2025 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed/RCMP

Police in Ontario seized and destroyed approximately 17,000 cannabis plants  grown at three large-scale illegal grow sites.

Six people have been charged with operating a complex illicit cannabis production and distribution network, RCMP said.

Police estimated the operations could have an annual production value of over $16 million. Each site was staffed with full-time live-in workers. The criminal network exported the cannabis to the United States and Hong Kong, with further plans to expand distribution into Europe.

RCMP dismantled one of the grow ops with the Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police Service taking care of the others.

RCMP allege millions of dollars in profits from this operation were laundered through the Canadian banking system by a sophisticated identity fraud scheme. The growers applied for Health Canada authorizations to produce medicinal cannabis using the identity of individuals who were not aware of the applications. These authorizations were then used to obtain commercial leases and expand production.

Facing from five to 12 charges each are: Shao Bo “Barry” Xie, 45; Feng Gao, 42; Shan “Sam” Gao, 34; Xu Han, 26; and Fang Han, 30 — all from Toronto; and Zdena “Denise” Mesko, 61, of Sarnia.

Their first court appearances are set for May 7.