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Toronto-area men arrested in multi-million dollar drug bust

Det.-Const. McVey of the Almaguin OPP Crime Unit (L) and Det.-Sgt Easton, of the North Bay OPP Crime Unit stand in front of a huge marihuana crop which was being grown in the Sundridge area. Photo courtesy Project Northern Gateway.

Det.-Const. McVey of the Almaguin OPP Crime Unit (L) and Det.-Sgt Easton, of the North Bay OPP Crime Unit stand in front of a huge marihuana crop which was being grown in the Sundridge area. Photo courtesy Project Northern Gateway.

(Sundridge)
Four Toronto-area men have been arrested and charged following a bust by Project Northern Gateway, a joint investigation between members of the Ontario Provincial Police OPP Drug Enforcement, North East Region OPP and North Bay Police service, assisted by members of the Almaguin Highlands OPP Crime Unit, Emergency Response Unit and the Almaguin Highlands OPP.

On July 19 Project Northern Gateway executed a Controlled Drugs and Substance Act Search Warrant at 1335 Forrest Lake Road Joly Township.

As a result of the warrant police seized more than 7,000 marihuana plants in the fields behind the residence as well as drugs and offence-related property from the residence.

The arrestees are being held pending a bail hearing in Parry Sound court scheduled for tomorrow.

The plants were in various stages of growth and were estimated to be have a vale of more than $7 million upon maturity.

A small amount of Ecstacy and dried marihuana were also seized, as were pumps, heaters, light hoods, timers light bulbs valued at $2,000.

Charged are:
YE, Kai, Xuan, 28, of Markham; CHEN, Ming, Xiang, 26, and LIU, Ping Jian, 37, both from Scarboroug; and ZHU, Zhen, Yu, 29, of Toronto

All are charged with production of a controlled substance; two counts of possession of a controlled Substance in relation to the dried marihuana and Ecstasy; and one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.