Ottawa police shut down illegal cannabis dispensary on Dalhousie Street

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

An illegal cannabis dispensary operating near Ottawa’s ByWard Market has been shut down by police, the third unlicensed dispensary closed this spring.

The Ottawa Police Service officers executed a search warrant at a cannabis dispensary on Dalhousie Street, just south of Rideau Street, on May 14.

Police say the cannabis dispensary was operating without a valid provincial licence.

“The warrant was obtained under Section 158 of the Provincial Offences Act and stemmed from multiple suspected violations under the Cannabis Control Act,” police said in a media release on Wednesday.

“During the search, officers seized large quantities of cannabis and related products, Canadian currency, and items associated with drug trafficking. The premises were secured and shut down following the enforcement action.”

• Police shut down illegal cannabis dispensary on Rideau Street in Ottawa

Police say charges “are anticipated” against both the property owner and the person operating the dispensary.

Officers with the Central District Neighbourhood Resource Team launched an investigation into the Dalhousie store in March. Police say a notice of contravention was issued to the property owner and there was an order to cease operations, but the dispensary remained open.

“Multiple days of surveillance confirmed continued unauthorized sales, leading to the execution of the warrant earlier this week,” police said.

Last week, police announced an illegal cannabis dispensary operating on Rideau Street, between Friel Street and Augusta Street, was shutdown. Another dispensary was shutdown on Beechwood Avenue in April.