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RCMP Dismantles Multi-Million Cannabis Distribution Network

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Summary

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police concluded a 2-month investigation that dismantled a significant cannabis distribution network operating across multiple Canadian jurisdictions using various distribution methods, including the mail system. Working with Canada Post, the Canada Border Services Agency, and FINTRAC, investigators uncovered a network shipping cannabis, cannabis-based products, and Psilocybin through a website called "Culture Cannabis Canada" to numerous provinces and territories.

On March 10, 2026, RCMP executed two search warrants at Ottawa residences, seizing 485 kg of dried cannabis, 36 kg of hash, 18 kg of Psilocybin, over 7,000 cannabis-infused edibles and vapes, and unstamped tobacco with an approximate street value exceeding $5.5 million, along with $115,360 in Canadian currency and one vehicle. Three Ottawa residents—Julie Michelle Langevin (41), Deepak Parmar (33), and Isha Bhardwaj (33)—were arrested and charged with multiple offences under the Cannabis Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Criminal Code, including possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, possession of a schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000. All three were released on an undertaking and are due to appear in Ottawa court on May 5, 2026.

“Working in close collaboration with Canada Post, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and FINTRAC, investigators were able to uncover a network of individuals receiving orders and shipping their product using an online website "Culture Cannabis Canada".”

RCMP , verbatim from source
Why this matters

The $115,360 cash seizure and proceeds of crime charge, combined with FINTRAC's collaboration, indicate this case has anti-money laundering dimensions relevant to financial institutions. Firms should ensure transaction monitoring captures patterns consistent with illegal distribution networks, including cross-jurisdictional mail-based activity. Cannabis sector participants should review distribution channel controls given this enforcement action.

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Published by RCMP on rcmp.ca . Detected, standardized, and enriched by GovPing. Review our methodology and editorial standards .

What changed

This RCMP enforcement action represents an active prosecution of unauthorized cannabis distribution under the Cannabis Act and related criminal offences. Three individuals face multiple charges including possession of illicit cannabis, unauthorized distribution exceeding 30 grams, possession for the purpose of distribution and selling, and promotion of cannabis in a manner appealing to young persons under Sections 8, 9, 10(2), 13(1), and 17(1) of the Cannabis Act.

Affected parties include licensed cannabis businesses and financial institutions operating in the Canadian cannabis ecosystem. The $115,360 cash seizure and proceeds of crime charge (Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code) indicate potential money laundering dimensions that may be relevant to financial institutions' AML compliance programs. The network's use of mail system distribution and an online platform for cross-jurisdictional shipping underscores the complexity of enforcement in Canada's cannabis sector.

What to do next

  1. Contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 for information related to drug trafficking
  2. Contact the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 to report criminality
  3. Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 anonymously to report criminal activity

Archived snapshot

Apr 21, 2026

GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.


News release

RCMP disrupts multi-million dollar cannabis distribution network

April 21, 2026
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Ottawa, Ontario
From: Federal Policing Central Region


On this page

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Content

Photo of seized items.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ontario has successfully concluded a 2-month investigation that dismantled a significant cannabis distribution network operating across multiple jurisdictions using various distribution methods, including the mail system. The investigation began when RCMP officers received information from Canada Post that a parcel destined for the Northwest Territories was found to contain a large quantity of cannabis and other cannabis biproducts.

Working in close collaboration with Canada Post, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and FINTRAC, investigators were able to uncover a network of individuals receiving orders and shipping their product using an online website “Culture Cannabis Canada”. Through the website, the network was shipping cannabis, cannabis-based products and Psilocybin (schedule lll substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) to numerous provinces and territories throughout Canada.

On March 10, 2026, the RCMP executed two search warrants at two Ottawa south residences. Investigators seized a total of 485 kg of dried cannabis, 36 kg of hash, 18 kg of Psilocybin and over 7000 cannabis-infused edibles, cannabis-infused vapes and unstamped tobacco with a total approximate street value of over $5.5 million dollars. RCMP officers also seized $115,360.00 in Canadian currency and one vehicle used in the commission of the offences.

The RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region, Serious and Organized Crime Unit arrested and charged the following individuals:

Julie Michelle Langevin (41) of Ottawa, Ontario with:

  • Possession of illicit cannabis under Section 8 of the Cannabis Act.
  • Unauthorized distribution of cannabis over 30g under Section 9 of the Cannabis Act.
  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution under Section 9 of the Cannabis Act.
  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it under Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Importation of something to be used in the distribution of cannabis under Section 13(1) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Promotion of cannabis in a manner that could be appealing to a young person under Section 17(1) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Possession of a schedule lll substance for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
  • Possession of property obtained by crime in excess of $5000 under Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of selling under Section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
    Deepak Parmar (33) of Ottawa, Ontario with:

  • Possession of illicit cannabis under Section 8 of the Cannabis Act.

  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution under Section 9 of the Cannabis Act.

  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it under Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.

  • Promotion of cannabis in a manner that could be appealing to a young person under Section 17(1) of the Cannabis Act.

  • Possession of a schedule lll substance for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

  • Possession of property obtained by crime in excess of $5000 under Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

  • Possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of selling under Section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
    Isha Bhardwaj (33) of Ottawa, Ontario with:

  • Possession of illicit cannabis under Section 8 of the Cannabis Act.

  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution under Section 9 of the Cannabis Act.

  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it under Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.

  • Promotion of cannabis in a manner that could be appealing to a young person under Section 17(1) of the Cannabis Act.

  • Possession of a schedule lll substance for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

  • Possession of property obtained by crime in excess of $5000 under Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

  • Possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of selling under Section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
    All three were released on an undertaking and are due to appear in Ottawa court on May 5, 2026.

The RCMP would like to thank its partners, including Canada Post, CBSA and FINTRAC for their collaboration on this investigation.


Image gallery


Quotes

The RCMP is reminding parents to exercise vigilance as most of the edible products seized were marketed for young children. This operation underscores the RCMP ’s commitment to combating organized crime, protecting Canadian communities, and working with partners to stop the flow of harmful substances in and out of the country.

Staff Sergeant Martin Gauthier, Acting Officer-in-Charge, Serious and Organized Crime, RCMP Federal Policing - Central Region

**


Quick facts

  • If you have any information related to drug trafficking, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

Date modified:

2026-04-21

Named provisions

Section 8 - Possession of illicit cannabis Section 9 - Unauthorized distribution and possession for purpose of distribution Section 10(2) - Possession for purpose of selling Section 13(1) - Importation for distribution Section 17(1) - Promotion appealing to young persons Section 5(2) - Possession of schedule III substance for purpose of trafficking Section 354(1)(a) - Possession of property obtained by crime Section 121.1(1) - Possession of unstamped tobacco for purpose of selling

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Last updated

Classification

Agency
RCMP
Filed
April 21st, 2026
Instrument
Enforcement
Branch
Executive
Legal weight
Binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Substantive

Who this affects

Applies to
Criminal defendants Law enforcement Financial advisers
Industry sector
4453 Cannabis
Activity scope
Cannabis distribution enforcement Organized crime investigation Criminal charges
Geographic scope
Canada CA

Taxonomy

Primary area
Cannabis
Operational domain
Legal
Compliance frameworks
BSA/AML
Topics
Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Justice

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