Probe into contraband tobacco plant on Six Nations nets charges

OPP say the investigation into the facility, which was operated by a GTA-based criminal organization, began in 2018

Sixteen men — including three locals — were arrested and charged with a total of 218 offences after a two-year Ontario Provincial Police probe into an illegal tobacco plant on Six Nations of the Grand River revealed a cross-country organized crime distribution network.

The charges range from conspiracy to commit murder to participation in a criminal organization to drug trafficking offences.

Police announced Thursday the seizure of 11.5 million contraband cigarettes — worth an Ontario street value of $942,000 — and 1,714 pounds of cannabis with an estimated street value of $2.5 million as part of the countrywide crackdown.

More than two kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl, three handguns, ammunition, $236,750 in cash and seven vehicles were also seized.

Police said the busts, coined Project Cairnes, spanned three provinces including Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, and targeted illicit manufacturing and distribution of contraband tobacco and pot.

The investigation into the illegal tobacco facility on Six Nations, which began in 2018, revealed that illicit cigarettes were being shipped to other parts of Ontario and B.C. before they were sold on the black market.

Police also uncovered a drug network tied to the facility that saw large shipments of illegal pot sent from B.C. on a weekly basis.

The facility was operated by a GTAbased criminal organization and has no affiliation to Six Nations, police said.

The reserve, just southwest of Hamilton, received no investment or benefit from the crime network’s dealings.

“The accused are closely associated with members of Traditional Organized Crime and other organized crime groups,” police said in a news release.

Of the 16 people facing charges, OPP say two are from Hagersville and one is from Ohsweken.

A 64-year-old Hagersville man, a 35year-old Hagersville man, and a 61-yearold Ohsweken man are facing participation in a criminal organization charges.

Seven other people from Brampton,

Mississauga, Toronto and Weston are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, among drug trafficking offences.