Near simultaneous raids on dispensaries owned by prominent marijuana activists Marc and Jodie Emery have been carried out across the country with the couple behind bars.
Police moved in on Cannabis Culture locations in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and Vancouver Thursday. Toronto Police say the searches in the city as well as in Hamilton area and in Vancouver are part of "Project Gator".
The Emerys were taken into custody at Pearson International Airport Wednesday night.
Their lawyer, Jack Lloyd could not confirm what, if any, charges the Emerys face. They were expected to make an appearance in a courtroom at Old City Hall Thursday.
Cannabis Culture is a chain of 19 marijuana dispensaries in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
Erin Goodwin, who runs the Cannabis Culture location near Church St and Alexander St was at the Old City Hall courthouse when she was arrested for possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
Eric Goodwin, owner of Cannabis Culture on Church St. arrested @ Old City Hall courthouse for possession for purpose of trafficking #Toronto pic.twitter.com/U5gLH6Bhvc
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) March 9, 2017
Marc Emery, the self-styled "Prince of Pot," was arrested at one of his new Montreal dispensaries in December and charged with drug trafficking.
The federal government is moving to legalize marijuana, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized late last year that the current laws exist.
with files from the Canadian Press and Hayley Cooper