NEW LISKEARD – November 11 will be a day a New Liskeard couple remembers well after OPP executed a search warrant turning up 1.5 kilograms of marijuana and equipment for making very potent extract.

On Nov. 11 at 8 p.m., officers from the Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau North Bay Drug Unit, supported by Temiskaming Shores OPP Detachment, executed a Search Warrant at a residence in New Liskeard.

The investigation focused on an individual who was producing cannabis resin called shatter.

As a result of this investigation, two people were arrested while leaving a residence on Armstrong Street in New Liskeard. A search warrant was subsequently executed at the residence and evidence seized confirmed the ongoing production of cannabis resin (shatter). Seized from the residence was: 1,530 grams of marijuana, 2 grams of cannabis resin, $2,595 cash, and materials required to produce cannabis resin (shatter). The estimated street value of the drugs is $15,000.

The OPP report levels of Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the extracts of cannabis marijuana can range from 70% to 99% in shatter form, compared to 5% to 28% THC in dried marijuana bud. The potency of shatter can be highly addictive and toxic due in part to the extremely high level of THC.

When consumed, shatter is known to cause a psychoactive effect or high that is very appealing to the user.

Users of shatter may be unaware of the potency of the product and consume too much, too often, which can have devastating consequences.

The extraction process to remove THC from cannabis marijuana can also be extremely dangerous due to the highly flammable nature of the solvent used to separate the THC from the plant.

A 31-uear-old man and 27-year-old woman, both of New Liskeard, have each been charged with the following offences:

Production of Cannabis Resin, (shatter), contrary to section 7(1), of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).