Three individuals, two hailing from the Niagara Region and one from Hamilton, are facing charges following an investigation that led to the recovery of around $1.1 million worth of illegal cannabis and cannabis products.
Authorities report that this investigation began in 2024 and is known as “Project Diagonal.” It targeted an unlawful online cannabis dispensary operating under the names “Harmonized Hemp” and “Canna Trust.”
Investigators found that the dispensary provided same-day delivery within the Niagara Region and shipped illegal cannabis products via courier services to various locations across Canada.
On May 5 and 6, search warrants were carried out at six sites in the Niagara Region, Hamilton, and on five vehicles.
Officers say they confiscated illegal cannabis and related products valued at over $1.1 million, along with 770 grams of psilocybin and approximately $13,000 in Canadian currency.
Jason Muscat-Tyler, 32, from Niagara on the Lake, Sean Paul-Farr, 31, from Hamilton, and Michelle Dolbeck, 37, from St. Catharines have all been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of illegal cannabis, and possession for the purpose of selling and distributing.
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Paul-Farr and Dolbeck also face charges for possession for trafficking psilocybin.
The accused have been released from custody but are expected to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on June 8.
“Unregulated products pose risks to public safety, and the profits generated are often used to fund other criminal activities, including drug trafficking, firearms offences and human trafficking,” OPP Chief Superintendent of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau Mike Stoddart says.
The OPP urges the public to be aware of signs indicating that an online cannabis store may be illegal. These signs include lack of age verification procedures, requests for identification uploads, youth-oriented branding, or payment methods such as cash or cryptocurrency.
If anyone has information about illegal sales or production of cannabis they should reach out to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Tips can also be given anonymously through Ontario Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
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