'CHURCH OF THE UNIVERSE' BUSTED ON POT CHARGES

Police have laid 205 drug-related charges against 23 people following
an investigation into a Toronto chapter of the Church of the Universe.

After receiving numerous complaints from nearby residents in
Toronto's Beaches area, police investigated an alleged marijuana
trafficking operation.

Police allege the G13 Beaches Mission of God Assembly of the Church
of the Universe sold membership cards to marijuana buyers and sold
marijuana and smoking paraphernalia to members.

A search warrant was executed Wednesday and officers found 4,500
grams of marijuana, marijuana plants, hashish and weed oil.

One of the people found on the premises had a permit for medicinal
marijuana, and police allege those arrested hid behind the permit as
a way to sell a lot of marijuana for financial gain.

Eleven of the people arrested face trafficking-related charges, while
the remaining 12 people arrested who were alleged buyers face
possession charges.