London police have laid more charges in a drugs and weapons probe that has led officers to remain on scene to oversee the disassembly of a large cannabis extraction lab over the last several days.
Last Tuesday, police were called about a “disturbance” at a home on Commissioners Road East near Huntington Drive. While responding, officers noted strange equipment and materials leading them to call the fire department for assistance.
Police and fire officials later learned the materials were being used for a cannabis extraction laboratory located inside the home. A police presence remained through the rest of last week and into the start of this week while officials worked to dismantle the lab.
Investigators say one man, who was initially arrested on April 4, was taken into custody on matters unrelated to the drug and weapons investigation. A second individual was released unconditionally while the investigation continued.
On Tuesday, police announced some weapons, drugs and other related paraphernalia were seized while the home was searched and the lab was taken apart. Charges have also been laid against two London men.
Items seized during the probe include:
• Around 140 kg of marijuana shake, estimated value of $14,000
• Around 162 litres of suspected cannabis resin, estimated value of $8,100,200
• Approximately 1.2 kg of suspected cannabis butter, estimated value $96,000
• Approximately 1.34 kg of suspected cannabis ‘shatter’, estimated value $67,000
• 672 cannabis gummy edibles, estimated value of $3,360
• 143 cannabis lollipops, estimated value $715
• 551 grams of psilocybin, estimated value $5,510
• 231 grams of MDMA, estimated value of $11,550
• 8,999 grams of marijuana bud, estimated value of $89,990
• Loaded Norinco M305 semi-automatic .308 long rifle
• Loaded .38 caliber handgun
• 14 rounds of .38 caliber ammunition
• 264 rounds of .308 caliber ammunition
• Three cell phones
• Extensive laboratory equipment estimated value $500,000
Investigators have pegged the estimated value of the drugs seized from the property at $8,388,325.
London police have jointly charged 30-year-old Donovan Wendt and 46-year-old Felice R. Ferri with possession of a Schedule One and Three substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cannabis to distribute, possession for the purpose of selling, and alter cannabis with an organic solvent.
Wendt also faces additional charges, including two counts of a prohibited firearm without a licence or registration certificate, two counts of possessing a firearm while prohibited, two counts of possessing a loaded regulated firearm, three counts of careless storage and possessing ammunition while prohibited.
Police say Wendt remains in custody and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a warrant has been issued for Ferri’s arrest as his whereabouts are unknown.
Anyone with information about the incident, or the whereabouts of Ferri, is asked to call the London Police Service at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be sent online anonymously to London Elgin Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
