Multiple searches across the municipality turned up more than $26-million worth of cannabis plants.
A compliance check from Health Canada kick-started the discovery and seizure of multiple grow operations in Merlin and Chatham.
According to Chatham-Kent police, a compliance check on a licensed medical marijuana grow operation on Talbot Trail in Merlin took place on June 24. That's when Health Canada agents said it was discovered that the operation was exploiting regulatory loopholes by significantly exceeding its authorized plant limits.
The next day, police obtained a warrant and searched the property. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 2,765 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of $2.765 million, police said.
Two Merlin men, aged 47 and 39, were arrested and face multiple cannabis-related charges. Both were released from police custody with a future court date.
On June 26, CK police responded to two different locations in Chatham on a referral from Health Canada inspectors. Those two locations, on Patteson Avenue, were licensed to grow a specific number of marijuana plants for medical use, but investigators determined that those sites were operating as commercial-scale grow operations.
Over the course of two days, police searched the properties and seized a total of 23,474 cannabis plants, two vehicles and other various items related to the operation.
The seized plants are worth an estimated $23.4-million.
The investigation is ongoing. Police believe more charges will be laid in the coming weeks.