A ten month investigation into an illegal online cannabis distribution network resulted in seven arrests earlier this month by Windsor District RCMP.

According to a police report on the matter, Windsor District RCMP began an investigation in May 2019 into what they described as an “illegal online cannabis marihuana distribution network” operating in Hants, Kings, and Annapolis Counties, Nova Scotia.

The investigation into the business resulted in several homes being searched on March 12. Police say they seized an undisclosed amount of cannabis products and “offence-related property”, as well as over $20,000 in cash.

Six of the men arrested were released from police custody on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Kentville Provincial Court on July 27. The seventh was reported released without charges.

According to the Windsor District RCMP, the six men, ranging in age from 22 to 33 years of age, from Hants County and the Halifax Region, are facing charges for Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution, Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, and Money Laundering.

Further info from RCMP:

“The investigation is continuing at this time and additional charges are anticipated. The investigation was led by the Windsor District Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) and conducted in collaboration with the SCEU teams in Kings (Kings District RCMP and Kentville Police Service), Annapolis (Annapolis District RCMP) and the Halifax Region (Halifax District RCMP). Investigators from the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia also assisted throughout this investigation, and the RCMP Digital Forensic Services and Special Tactical Operations Unit provided assistance to investigators during the searches”

Online retailers have thrived in Canada for many years, and have only increased their presence since legalization, as many illicit dispensaries moved to selling products online as pressure to close their retail stores increased following increased enforcement. Recently, Edmonton police seized the websites of numerous online cannabis retailers with domains hosted in Canada. Many of these websites simply migrated their domain to hosting held outside of Canada, although some of them appear to have been shut down now, as well. For example, http://stashclub.ca shows the ‘Seized’ message from Edmonton police. http://stashclub.biz was periodically still live, but now shows a closed for business splash page as well.