Aerial views of alleged illicit cannabis farms on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Photos via OPP.

For more than a week, the police presence on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has been comforting to some residents, but alarming to others.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the police presence — as well as the execution of multiple search warrants, the seizure of thousands of cannabis plants and pieces of farming equipment, and the arrests of multiple people — came as a result of an investigation that began in April 2025.

In a press release on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, the OPP said that “more than 72,000 illicit cannabis plants” and three firearms had been seized through the investigation. Police did not detail any of the seized machinery, though such seizures have been noted by the Tyendinaga Police Service on Facebook, which has served as the sole point of communication about the activity as it has been carried out.

The investigation began with Tyendinaga Police and the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) looking into “illicit cannabis production sites controlled by non-Indigenous organized criminal networks, aided by a limited number of community members,” according to police.

“The majority of the profits from these operations were not invested in or utilized by the community,” the OPP stated.

“A total of 10 individuals, including six non-community members, were arrested and charged under the Criminal Code and the Cannabis Act.”

Firearms seized during the execution of search warrants on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Photos via OPP.

Reports on social media from residents of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory have varied widely. Some welcomed the police presence and dismantling of the cannabis farms; others accused police of overstepping their bounds, stealing crops from Indigenous people on Indigenous land, and arresting Mohawk people who had hired seasonal help to tend to their crops. One point of contention remained: whether the OPP had been asked to carry out their operations on the territory and whether police had received endorsement to do so from the Band Council.

Asked directly about this matter, Bill Dickson, Media Relations Coordinator for the OPP East Region, said that Tyendinaga Police “requested support from the OPP and other agencies for this investigation.”

“This was done with the full support of the Chief and Council,” Dickson said, confirming he was referring to Chief R. Donald Maracle and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Council (or Band Council).

Those “other agencies” Dickson referred to included the following police branches, according to the OPP:

OPP Organized Crime Enforcement BureauTyendinaga Police ServiceOPP Provincial Liaison TeamOPP Tactics and Rescue UnitOPP Emergency Response TeamOPP Canine UnitOPP East Region DetachmentOPP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement TeamOPP Clandestine Laboratory Investigative Response TeamOPP Offender Transport UnitOPP Snowmobile, All-Terrain Vehicle, and Vessel EnforcementOPP East Region Community Street Crime UnitsCanadian Border Services Agency

Those living on the territory reported that police services from other Native territories had also attended during the flurry of activity. According to the OPP’s release, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Hiawatha First Nation Policing Services, and Anishinabek Police Service supported the investigation, as did the Ottawa Police Service Air Support Unit.

Police said multiple search warrants were executed on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. The investigation resulted in the halting of “unlawful diversion of water from the Bay of Quinte,” as well as a “depleted quarry” which was “affecting the water table.”

Alleged water diversion.Alleged illicit cannabis.Dumping of refuse at one of the cannabis farms raided by police.All photos via OPP.

According to the OPP, the follow was seized:

72,000 cannabis plants “valued at more than $122 million”Three firearmsAmmunitionNumerous items “as offence-related property,” with an approximate value of $533,000

Based on those numbers, a single cannabis plant was valued at just under $1,700. Asked to confirm this, Dickson said the value given is the “estimated street value of the cannabis.”

“The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau is committed to working alongside the Tyendinaga Police Service to address organized criminal activity, including illegal cannabis production,” OPP OCEB Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart said in a statement.

“Through close collaboration with Tyendinaga Police Service, the OPP Indigenous Policing Bureau and its Provincial Liaison Team, we are taking meaningful steps to support community safety.”

According to police, the investigation into the illicit production and sale of cannabis on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has yet to be completed.

“The OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit has been engaged to investigate any proceeds of crime offences and assist in the seizure of offence-related property,” police said in a release.

“This investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.”

Police said anyone with information regarding the illegal sale or production of cannabis should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Those with information who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or make a report to Crime Stoppers online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

“We want to thank our community for their patience throughout this investigation. Non-community members have jeopardized community safety and taken advantage of our land. Investigators discovered illegal dumping sites with significant environmental impacts. A local quarry was depleted[,] negatively affecting the water table within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory,” acting Chief Chris Brinklow of the Tyendinaga Police Service said in a statement.

“The projected profits have served only to benefit organized criminal networks. While a small number of community members may have been involved, the financial gains were not reinvested into the community. The exploitation of Indigenous communities and lands by organized crime is a serious violation of our rights and responsibilities — and it will not be tolerated.”

According to the OPP, the following people were arrested and are now facing the listed charges:

A field of alleged illicit cannabis on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Photo via OPP.