The Ontario Provincial Police has announced the seizure of more than $200,000 worth of illegal cannabis and cannabis products during raids on three illegal marijuana dispensaries in London, Ont., on July 16, 2026. OPP photo
Three people are facing criminal charges after police say they dismantled three illegal marijuana dispensaries in southwestern Ontario.
The Ontario Provincial Police began a joint investigation with the London Police Service in June into three illegal cannabis shops operating under the name “Sewatohkwat” in the city’s downtown, the OPP said in a press release.
Investigators raided the three locations on July 16, confiscating illegal cannabis and cannabis products worth $208,000, contraband tobacco, and $7,700 in cash that police described as “as proceeds of crime.”
The storefronts have been shut down and will be held under interim closure orders under the Cannabis Control Act because they were functioning without the necessary authorization from Health Canada or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the province’s marijunna regulator, police said.
Jasmine Phillips, 40; Skyesha Cheazny Lee Phillips French, 26; and Darien Skye Nicholas, 31, all of London, are each charged with possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000, possession of tobacco for the purpose of sale that was not stamped, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, and possession of illicit cannabis.
The accused were released from custody and were handed September and October court dates in London.
The OPP also issued a reminder that marijuana can be purchased legally through the Ontario Cannabis Store or a government-authorized, licensed retailer. Legal cannabis packages are always marked in “consistent ways” to show they have been authorized, police said.
“Purchasing cannabis from an illegal source—whether a storefront, online or a dealer-is a crime,” the OPP said. “Profits from illegal cannabis sales are often laundered to finance other criminal activities including illegal drugs, firearms, and human trafficking.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the illegal sale of marijuana to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
The Ontario Provincial Police reported the confiscation of contraband tobacco during raids on three illegal marijuana shops in London, Ont., on July 16, 2026. OPP photo
