YORK REGIONAL POLICE SEIZES $20 MILLION WORTH OF MARIHUANA

Investigators with the York Regional Police Drugs and Vice Unit have arrested eight suspects after executing search warrants at three residences and two industrial units in the City of Toronto, the City of Mississauga and the City of Brantford. In November 2011, officers launched an investigation into the existence of indoor marihuana grow operations at five locations in the Greater Toronto Area. On Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at approximately 12 p.m., investigators executed search warrants at residential addresses in Brantford, Toronto and the Town of Markham. Search warrants were also executed at industrial units in Mississauga and Toronto. Police seized approximately 20,000 plants that are believed to be cannabis marihuana. The value is estimated to be $20 million. Eight individuals were arrested. CHARGED: Yuk Yuen LEE, 58, of Markham Tzu-Ming LI, 46, of Scarborough Alan Neil KIPPAX, 46 of Brantford Sen Ping CHEN, 56, of Brantford Hong Zhen LI, 49, of Toronto Huan Li HU, 49, of Scarborough Marivic PROTACIO, 39 of Brantford Jin Xing YU, 51, of Scarborough CHARGES INCLUDE: Production of a Controlled Substance Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to come forward. The suspects have been held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in the Town of Newmarket on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Drugs and Vice Unit at 1-866876-5423, ext. 7066, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com, or text your tip to CRIMES (274637) starting with the word YORK. Follow York Regional Police on Facebook and Twitter www.twitter.com/YRP and www.facebook.com/officialYRP Prepared by: Constable Blair McQuillan June 26, 2012 12-3444/12-160716/12-173313