Ottawa police shut down unlicenced cannabis dispensary in Vanier

The sign outside Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa police have shut down an unlicenced cannabis dispensary on Beechwood Avenue, east of downtown.

Police said officers with the Vanier/Overbrook neighbourhood resource team launched an investigation into a dispensary on Beechwood in March. Police said both they and the property owners issued Notices of Contravention to the operator, requesting proof of compliance with Ontario’s cannabis legislation or an immediate cessation of operations.

“Despite these formal warnings, the business continued to operate unlawfully,” the Ottawa Police Service said in a news release Monday.

Officers executed a search warrant at the business on April 22, seizing “wholesale quantities of cannabis,” and other cannabis-related products, along with cash and “drug-trafficking equipment.” Police said the premises has since been shut down, and control has been returned to the property owners.

Charges are pending.