Police have seized more than 72,000 illicit cannabis plants worth over $122 million following a major investigation into an organized criminal network allegedly operating on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The Tyendinaga Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau began the investigation in April 2025. Officers allege non-Indigenous criminal groups, with the help of a small number of community members, were running large cannabis production sites. Police say the majority of profits were not invested back into the community.
On September 23 and 24, 2025, search warrants were carried out at four sites on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Police seized cannabis plants, three firearms, ammunition and offence-related property valued at about $530,000. Officers also stopped the unlawful diversion of water from the Bay of Quinte.
Ten people, including six non-community members, were arrested and charged under the Criminal Code and the Cannabis Act (Full list of charges lower in the article). The OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit is also investigating possible proceeds of crime.
The large-scale operation involved multiple units, including the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, Emergency Response Team, Canine Unit, Community Street Crime Units, and the Canada Border Services Agency. Support was also provided by the Ottawa Police Service Air Support Unit, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Hiawatha First Nation Policing Services and the Anishinabek Police Service.
“We want to thank our community for their patience throughout this investigation. Non-community members have jeopardized community safety and taken advantage of our land,” said Acting Chief Chris Brinklow, Tyendinaga Police Service. “Investigators discovered illegal dumping sites with significant environmental impacts. A local quarry was depleted negatively affecting the water table within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The projected profits have served only to benefit organized criminal networks. While a small number of community members may have been involved, the financial gains were not reinvested into the community. The exploitation of Indigenous communities and lands by organized crime is a serious violation of our rights and responsibilities – and it will not be tolerated.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released.
Anyone with information about illegal cannabis production is asked to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Written by Emily Chatwood
