麻豆传媒映画police seized thousands of pounds of cannabis on Friday from two illegal labs on the south slope.
The VPD鈥檚 Organized Crime Section dismantled the labs in an industrial area near Oak Street and Marine Drive, shutting down what police called a 鈥渕ulti-million dollar drug operation.鈥�
Cannabis oil/Shutterstock
Investigators believe the warehouses were being used as THC extraction labs, also known as Butane Honey Oil labs, to produce cannabis oils and concentrates for sale in unlicensed cannabis stores and on the illicit market.
Police listed the seized items as shake, shatter, oils, balms, and edibles, as well as lab equipment used to produce the illicit drugs.
鈥淭hese were very large and sophisticated illegal operations that posed a significant risk to the public,鈥� VPD Const. Steve Addison said in a news release. 鈥淎lthough cannabis can now be legally purchased from government regulated and approved retailers, we will not tolerate anyone who tries to cash in by breaking the law and putting the public at risk.鈥�
The Cannabis Act prohibits the use of organic solvents, like butane, in the extraction of oils from cannabis plants. The process is dangerous because organic solvents are extremely volatile and can lead to fires or explosions.
鈥淟egally produced cannabis oils can still be purchased from licensed retailers,鈥� Addison said. 鈥淲e encourage recreational cannabis users to purchase their products from government approved and regulated stores.鈥�
VPD received assistance from the RCMP鈥檚 Clandestine Lab Team and 麻豆传媒映画Fire Rescue Services during last week鈥檚 search warrants. The investigation is ongoing. Several charges are anticipated to be recommended at the conclusion of the investigation.
