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

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:

• 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

Investigators say the total estimated value of drugs seized is around $8,388,325.

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

• 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.

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