Two Toronto Police officers and another two corrections officers are also charged in the wake of the 16-month investigation, which concluded yesterday when police executed 63 search warrants at businesses, homes and several cars.
Three houses, five vehicles, $60,000 in cash, nearly 17 kilograms of marijuana and other drugs, including ecstasy, and production equipment were seized by police.
Calling the investigation lengthy and complex, police said it began in February 2007 when York Regional Police uncovered several grow-ops linked to one man.
A majority of the grow-ops were in York region, police said, although several police services, including Peel Regional Police, OPP and the Toronto Police Guns and Gangs Task Force and drug squad, were involved in the investigation.
Some of the drugs produced by the massive operation were sent to the United States, police said, but the majority were distributed locally.
Police allege the accused were involved in the production and distribution of marijuana, trafficking of ecstasy and steroids, and money-laundering of the proceeds.
Police laid 115 charges, including participating in a criminal organization, production of marijuana, trafficking a controlled substance and several gambling offences.
Stuart McGetrick, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, said the three officers charged have been suspended with pay pending a review by the government.
"When we make decisions on employment status, our focus is always upholding the security and safety of our institutions," he said.
Mississauga residents charged are Danny Benipal, 28, Roberta McNabb, 39, Jessica Nguyen, 25, Jennie Nguyen, 29, Ngoc Nguyen, 47, Tinh Do, 47, and a 17-year-old girl who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
lrosella@mississauga.net
