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Broadcast time: 11:10 |
Date: December 21, 2018 |
On December 20, 2018, shortly after 2:30 pm, members of the Sarnia Police Service Vice Unit executed a search warrant related to the Cannabis Act. The warrant was executed in the 1800 block of the St. Clair Parkway within the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Reserve. The Sarnia Police Service Vice Unit had previously executed a warrant at the same business, Pot of Gold Medicals and Edibles, on September 13, 2018.
Upon entry into the illegal dispensary four males were arrested and taken into custody. From there the officers continued their search of the establishment. The officers described the business as dirty and it appeared that the suspects handled the product with no quality control or consideration for hygiene. Also, the product was all illicit, meaning that it was produced via illegal means and not by Health Canada Regulated Green Houses. It is unknown what quantity of THC is in the edibles and it appeared that some of the marijuana bud had mold on it.
Officers seized the following:
- $99,880 – 22 pounds of marijuana bud
- $12,752 – edibles
- $9,260 – cash
The total value of everything seized was approximately $121,892.
This investigation was driven by complaints from local community members concerned about this illegal establishment and other illegal establishments which continue to operate without any regulation. Another concern that was brought forward involved the fact that minors were being sold products. According to the complaints, the people selling the drugs did not care who was purchasing products but rather just concerned about making a profit.
The entire purpose of the Cannabis Act is to ensure that the marijuana being sold is safe for consumption and to ensure that the product is being sold to consumers who are of a legal age.
The Sarnia Police Service will continue to respond to these complaints from the community, and as evidence and information is gathered, we will investigate these illegal operations to the full extent of the law and take the appropriate action.
The four individuals arrested in this matter are:
- Derek Donkers, 33 years of age, of Sarnia
- Ricardo Tersigni, 20 years of age, of Sarnia
- Ryan Michael Bressette, 37, years of age, of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Reserve
- Arnold Mayers, 62 years of age, of Corunna
All have been charged under the Cannabis Act for possession for the purpose of sale.
The picture below represents a small portion of what was seized
Constable Giovanni Sottosanti
Media Officer
Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168
Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca