Two Toronto police officers were arrested this morning in connection with what investigators call a large-scale operation to produce and distribute marijuana and launder the proceeds.

The two, were taken into custody this morning along with 21 other people. Const. Kevin Bourne, of 51 Division, has nine years of service. Const. Patrick Lee, of 31 Division, has been on the force for eight years. If they are released on bail, Police Chief Bill Blair said today, they will be suspended from their duties with pay.

"It's a betrayal of all the hard working decent men and women in this service," he said at a press conference this afternoon. "It's a huge disappointment to us as a group.”

After a lengthy investigation, police executed 63 search warrants around 6 a.m., taking 23 people into custody, seizing $60,000 in cash, 17 pounds of marijuana and smaller amounts of other drugs including ecstasy.

Detectives have implicated the two police officers, three correctional officers, a real estate agent and others in the scheme.

It’s alleged the “elaborate” operation had been ongoing for at least two years. The police investigation lasted several months before the raids were launched.

The accused were scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court Friday.

Police said the investigation is continuing. With files from Canadian Press