Over $2.8 million worth of illegal cannabis has been confiscated from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The Ontario Provincial Police report that eight people have been charged in connection with this case.
In August 2026, the Tyendinaga Police Service began investigating an illegal cannabis production site on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory that was linked to a non-Indigenous criminal group.
The OPP Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) was then called in to help with the investigation.
Illicit cannabis drying at a production plant in Tyendinaga. Aug. 2026. (Photo supplied by the Ontario Provincial Police) Ontario Provincial Police / Supplied photo
On September 9, a search warrant was carried out at a location on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory by members from:
Tyendinaga Police Service OPP PJFCET OPP Provincial Liaison Team OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit OPP Emergency Response Team OPP Canine Unit OPP East Region Community Street Crime Unit
During this operation, officers seized around 5,560 illegal cannabis plants valued at about $2.78 million, along with 34 kilograms of cannabis shake estimated at $34,000, $1,880 in Canadian cash, and 10 cell phones.
An aerial view of an illicit cannabis production plant on the grounds of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Aug. 2026. (Photo supplied by the Ontario Provincial Police) Ontario Provincial Police / Supplied photo
The following eight individuals are each facing charges under the Cannabis Act for cultivating illegal cannabis and possessing it for distribution:
41-year-old Mario Maurice Baptiste Jr. of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory 51-year-old Alan Cheong of Scarborough 53-year-old Bao Xia Feng of Scarborough 69-year-old Cai Xia Fu of Scarborough 56-year-old Gaofeng Li of Scarborough 65-year-old Xiu Juan Liu of Scarborough 61-year-old Chuan Cai Wang of Scarborough 60-year-old Yiping Wu of Scarborough
“Criminal networks continue to seek opportunities to profit from illicit cannabis production, often exploiting communities and undermining public safety in the process,” said chief superintendent Mike Stoddart from the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau in a supplied statement. “Working alongside the Tyendinaga Police Service, this successful operation reflects our shared commitment to disrupting illegal cannabis operations, protecting communities and preventing criminal networks from generating profits through these illegal activities.”
“This operation targeted an illegal cannabis cultivation site operating within our territory,” added acting sergeant Nathan Leland of the Tyendinaga Police Service. “While a small number of community members may become involved in such activities, investigations have consistently shown that significant profits generated by these operations often benefit individuals and organized criminal interests from outside the community. Protecting our lands, community safety and the integrity of our territory remains a priority. The Tyendinaga Police Service will not tolerate outside criminal networks coming into our community and exploiting our lands for their gains.”
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the illegal sale or production of cannabis should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
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