Police bust massive illegal grow-op in St. Catharines

Eleven people have been arrested in a bust of a massive illegal marijuana grow-op in St. Catharines.

Niagara Regional Police say the investigation began because of complaints from the public.

Officers executed a search warrant at a building in the area of Third St. Louth and Main St. Tuesday morning.

Inside they found a “well-organized and large scale” cannabis growing operation with over 17,000 plants in various stages of growth.

Police estimate the value of the plants at $34 million.

This is the largest marijuana grow-op investigated by Niagara Police.

The 11 people found inside have been arrested and charged with unauthorized production of cannabis contrary to the Federal Cannabis Act.

Charged are:

• Yongqi Liu, 51, of Scarborough
• Lin Feng Shi, 41, of Markham
• Jin Chin Jian, 35, of Markham
• Xiao Ping Yang, 51, of Scarborough
• Junso Dong, 48, of Scarborough
• Jinying Xue, 52, of Scarborough
• Libo Qian, 54, of Toronto
• Qiaoguo Yang, 50, of Scarborough
• Zengshou Liu, 63, of St. Catharines
• Yingqiu Lin, 68, Of New York, USA

Police say there is one more person who has yet to be identified.