Police seize millions of dollars worth of illicit cannabis in Markham, 5 charged

Police estimate the street value of the illicit cannabis to be worth more than $3.4 million.

York Regional Police say they have seized more than $3.4 million worth of illicit cannabis and arrested multiple people following an investigation.

In May, officers launched “Project Eclipse” after receiving information about a suspect allegedly distributing illicit cannabis from a home in Markham.

Police allege they were part of a network trafficking cannabis throughout the area.

On May 15, investigators arrested the primary suspect and executed a search warrant at a Markham home, where they seized a quantity of illicit cannabis, Canadian currency, and a substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine.

After identifying additional suspects, officers executed search warrants at two other residences, also in Markham, and at a commercial shipping unit in Toronto.

During the searches, police allegedly seized more than 1,300 pounds of illicit cannabis and more than 30 jars of cannabis oil extract. The drugs have an estimated combined street value of $3.4 million.

Five Markham residents have been charged in connection with the investigation: Tien Chen, 59; He Jin Jiang, 43; Junjuang Ke, 52; Yun Qing Chen, 50; and Yongzhong Ke, 78.

The accused are all charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution.

Tien Chen is also charged with an additional counts of possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution and one count of possession of a schedule substance.