OPP Bust Illegal Chapleau Grow-Op

Five Toronto-area residents are facing charges over an illegal grow-op in Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the North East Region Community Street Crime Unit executed a Cannabis Act search warrant at a commercial property on Martel Road yesterday afternoon, with the search revealing a large illegal cannabis growing operation.

Police seized more than 12,000 plants in various stages of growth - an estimated street value of $12-million - along with lighting and electrical equipment.

Arrested are five people from the Greater Toronto Area - ranging in age from 21 to 53 - with police laying charges of "cultivate, propagate, or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling house", contrary to the Cannabis Act.

They're scheduled to appear in court in early July.