Major grow-op thwarted on Aamjiwnaang First Nation

Journal Staff Two men carrying machetes and living in a makeshift hut in a wooded area of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation were arrested Thursday for running a marijuana grow-op worth $1.1 million.

Journal Staff

Two men carrying machetes and living in a makeshift hut in a wooded area of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation were arrested Thursday for running a marijuana grow-op worth $1.1 million.

Sarnia Police and an emergency response team descended on the area after a band member walking in the woods reported being confronted by two Asian men carrying machetes. He told band council the pair demanded to know why he was there.

Sarnia Police were contacted, and officers conducting a search found plots of land in the middle of the bush with a large number of plants, as well as marijuana in various stages of production.

Officers also found the hut and two Asian men and took them into custody, police said.

A 56-year-old man from Jarvis, Ont. and a 59-year-old man from London were arrested and charged with possession and drug trafficking.

About 800 plants and 80 pounds of marijuana were seized with a street value, police said, of more than $1.1 million.

A release issued by the chief and band council supported the police action and urged residents to call police if they see suspicious activity on First Nation lands.

“Activities that threaten the well-being of our members will not be tolerated,” the release said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sarnia Police at 519-344-8861 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.