Man arrested for recruiting minors to sell cannabis

Sophie Demers

At the beginning of July, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) arrested a 41-year-old man for making threats to teenagers he recruited, or attempted to recruit, as cannabis dealers. The suspect is from the Toronto area but recently settled in Gatineau, in the Masson-Angers sector.

The SPVG started the investigation in May when they received information that a man was trying to recruit young people to participate in a cannabis sales network. The individual has managed to get at least one teenager to sell cannabis for him in schools. The teenager was allegedly threatened by the suspect after she was caught in possession of cannabis at school.

The man went into a business multiple times to solicit teenagers by allegedly offering them free cannabis and encouraging them to buy his products.

Two residences related to the suspect were searched. The police seized cannabis products and accessories used in drug trafficking. After the arrest the man was released with a promise to appear with conditions.

The man will face several charges. Some of which include: possession of cannabis, distribution to a minor and a person over 18, sale of cannabis to minors and to persons over 18, and assistance to a minor for the sale of cannabis. There is also a charge for uttering threats has also been sent to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).

The SPVG reminds citizens that according to the Cannabis Regulation Act it is forbidden for individuals under the age of 21 to possess it. It is also illegal to be in possession of cannabis on the grounds of educational institutions.

The Gatineau police highlights that it is prohibited for anyone under the age of 18 to distribute cannabis to other minors and to sell cannabis without authorization under the Cannabis Act. It is also forbidden to use the services of minors to sell narcotics or to offer cannabis free of charge as compensation or incentive to purchase.