Federal investigators have arrested six people and seized tens of thousands of illicit cannabis edibles disguised as popular brand candies after raiding two unlicensed dispensaries in British Columbia.

RCMP allege the suspects were part of an organized crime group that produced and distributed cannabis and other illicit drugs throughout the province.

Police were initially investigating the sale of contraband tobacco when they came across the alleged drug distribution network, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Arash Seyed told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, officers from the RCMP’s Pacific Regional Federal Policing Division executed search warrants at two unlicensed cannabis dispensaries and five residential properties on Vancouver Island.

RCMP identified the dispensaries as Green Coast Dispensary in Port Alberni and Coastal Storm Dispensary in Lantzville.

Investigators say a suspected hideout site in Port Alberni and a storage and production facility adjacent to the Coastal Storm Dispensary were also searched. “This included two modular trailers where cannabis edibles were produced, stored and distributed,” the RCMP said in a news release.

Authorities released photos of the seized cannabis products in packaging resembling common treats like Oreo cookies, Rice Krispies treats, Kit Kat chocolate bars and Reese’s peanut butter cups.

More than 120,000 deceptively packaged cannabis edible products were seized by investigators, along with more than 225 kilograms of cannabis flower and several kilograms of processed cannabis products, according to the release.

Investigators do not know how many illicit edibles were already made and sold through the alleged distribution network.

“We don’t know how many there are already,” Seyed said. “We didn’t really expect to find these. It was actually a tobacco smuggling investigation initially, which led to these facilities.”

“Serious health risks”

Police carrying out the searches also discovered more than three kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms, thousands of psilocybin capsules and hundreds of psilocybin edible products. Five vehicles, two ATMs, more than $400,000 in cash, a shotgun and approximately 82,000 packs of contraband cigarettes were also seized, according to police.

“Although the candy bars and chips containing contraband cannabis appeared to be professionally manufactured, packaged and quality-controlled products, they were found to have been produced in highly unsanitary and heavily contaminated modular trailers “, the press release states.

“A preliminary assessment of the edible products also indicates that they were treated with unknown quantities of THC and likely contaminated with other drugs and substances present in the trailers where they were produced and packaged.”

RCMP say some of the counterfeit snacks contained dangerously high potency levels of cannabis, including some with labels claiming to be 100 times stronger than regulated cannabis products.

With Halloween just days away, police are urging the public to keep cannabis products out of the reach of children.

“It is possible that consumption of these products could result in serious health risks,” the chief superintendent said. Stephen Lee, deputy regional commander of the RCMP Federal Policing Program – Pacific Region, said in the release.

“We urge members of the public to exercise extreme caution if they already own or encounter such products in the future.”

RCMP say the investigation is still ongoing and several drug-related charges have been laid.