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Over $8M in drugs seized, 2 charged in dismantled cannabis lab: London, Ont. police

Over $8M in drugs seized, 2 charged in dismantled cannabis lab: London, Ont. police - image
via London Police Service

Charges have been laid after police in London, Ont., dismantled a “complex cannabis extraction laboratory” at a multi-million-dollar home last week.

Police were first called to 467 Commissioners Rd. E. on April 4 for a reported disturbance. However, as officers “observed potentially hazardous materials and equipment,” a separate investigation was launched resulting in a “lengthy and time-consuming” process in dismantling the laboratory.

According to London Inc. magazine, the home was listed for sale for $2.45 million in 2020 and described as a “private 1.2-acre estate.” Ontario land property records list the home’s owner as a numbered Ontario company that was registered in Toronto in February 2021.

In an update released Tuesday afternoon, police say the following items were seized:

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  • Approximately 140 kg of marijuana shake, estimated value $14,000
  • Approximately 162 liters of suspected cannabis resin, estimated value $8,100,200
  • Approximately 1.2 kg of suspected cannabis butter, estimated value $96,000
  • Approximately 1.34 kg of suspected cannabis ‘shatter,’ estimated value $67,000
  • 672 cannabis gummy edibles, estimated value $3,360
  • 143 cannabis lollipops, estimated value $715
  • 551 grams of psilocybin, estimated value $5,510
  • 231 grams of MDMA, estimated value of $11,550
  • 8,999 grams of marijuana bud, estimated value $89,990
  • Loaded Norinco M305 semi-automatic .308 long rifle
  • Loaded .38 caliber handgun
  • 14 rounds of .38 caliber ammunition
  • 264 rounds of .308 caliber ammunition
  • Three cellphones
  • Extensive laboratory equipment, estimated value $500,000
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Investigators say the total estimated value of drugs seized is around $8,388,325.

Over $8M in drugs seized, 2 charged in dismantled cannabis lab: London, Ont. police - image
via London Police Service
Over $8M in drugs seized, 2 charged in dismantled cannabis lab: London, Ont. police - image
via London Police Service

According to police, Donovan Wendt, 30, and Felice R. Ferri, 46, both of London, have been jointly charged with the following offences:

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  • possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • possession of a Schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing
  • possession for the purpose of selling
  • altering cannabis with organic solvent
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Additionally, Wendt has been charged with two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm knowing not holding a licence and registration certificate, and two counts of possessing a firearm while prohibited. The accused is also charged with two counts of possessing a loaded regulated firearm, three counts of careless storage of a firearm or ammunition, and possessing ammunition while prohibited.

Police said Tuesday that a warrant was issued for Ferri’s arrest and that his whereabouts were unknown. On Friday afternoon, police announced that Ferri had since been arrested.

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Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Elgin Middlesex Crime Stoppers.

– with files from Global News’ Jacquelyn LeBel and  Matthew Trevithick

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