A network for the illegal sale of cannabis products specifically targeting teenagers in Montreal has been dismantled, the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) said on Tuesday.
The members of this network used social networks to sell their products – a phenomenon known and monitored by the SPVM, said spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant. Transactions were also carried out near secondary schools, specifies the police force.
The dismantling operation took place last week, with searches in three residences located in the boroughs of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension.
They led to the seizure of hundreds of cannabis vapers as well as hundreds of bags of cookies and sachets of cannabis gummies – products particularly popular with teenagers. These are not available at the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), Mr. Brabant pointed out, adding that in addition, minors are not allowed to buy cannabis products.
The police force wants parents to be aware of the illegal sale of these products to their young people so that they keep an eye out, says Mr. Brabant.
Over $100,000 in cash was also found at the searched premises, along with various amounts of dried cannabis, hashish and magic mushrooms.
Six suspects – aged 17 to 23 – were arrested under the Cannabis law.
The SPVM indicates that its investigation is continuing and that its results will be submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) “so that charges can be laid. »
The ACCES Cannabis unit of the SPVM, which carried out the searches, is dedicated to the fight against cannabis smuggling and aims, among other things, to reduce the accessibility of illegal cannabis among young people.