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OPP did not say how much marijuana was seized.

Also charged is Doc Van Phan, 53, of Leamington. Both Fuller and Phan face charges of producing marijuana and possessing marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

In a prepared statement, Essex County OPP Insp. Glenn Miller warned: “The illegal cultivation of marijuana remains a criminal offence. The significance of yet another large-scale marijuana grow operation in Essex County underscores the efforts of individuals to undermine current legislation.

“Those involved in this type of activity can be assured they have our attention.”

Fuller and Phan are scheduled to make a court appearance in Leamington on Nov. 17.

Windsor Star

Charlie Hotham, past president of Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers, said the organization’s board of directors held an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon to terminate Fuller’s involvement.

“We moved very quickly, very swiftly…. He is no longer associated with the Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers program,” Hotham said.

Crime Stoppers has bylaws that allow a member’s immediate removal if there is violation of the organization’s rules, he said. “The most important thing for our program — an award-winning program — is integrity.”

Since 1985, Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers has offered monetary rewards for anonymous tips from the public about criminal incidents in the region.

Hotham stressed that the board of directors is purely administrative and has no access to the tips that Crime Stoppers receives: “Our board members are not privy to confidential information.”