An investigation has resulted in the arrest of eight individuals and the seizure of more than 7,600 illicit cannabis plants and 100 lbs of dried illicit cannabis bud valued at more than $3.8 million.
In December 2025, emergency services responded to a structure fire at a location on 5th Line in the Municipality of Port Hope. While at the location, the Municipality of Port Hope Fire Department notified the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) that cannabis was being grown at the property.
On Thursday, January 8, 2026, members from the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), and members of the Peterborough/Northumberland Community Street Crime Unit, executed a warrant at the location.
As a result of the investigation, the following eight individuals were each charged under the Cannabis Act, with unlawfully cultivate, propagate or harvest a cannabis plant (s. 12[4][a]) and possession for the purpose of distribution (s. 9[2]):
• Duc LE, age 28 of North York
• Hoang NGA, age 44 of North York
• Thu NGUYEN, age 44 of North York
• Thi NGUYEN, age 43 of North York
• Ngyenthi SANG, age 49, of North York
• Shua TANG-ZHONG, age 52, of Scarborough
• Zhonghua YE, age 51, of Scarborough
• Yin YANG, age 51, of Scarborough
The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
Anyone with information regarding the illegal sale or production of cannabis should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
ABOUT PJFCET
The PJFCET is an OPP-led joint forces operation that includes members of the Niagara Regional Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, London Police Service and Windsor Police Service. The PJFCET’s role is to enforce and investigate illegal cannabis incidents and focus on the apprehension of those who produce, sell, distribute, import/export and use cannabis outside of the parameters of the law.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
