Key Takeaways
- Police found the lab on October 23, 2026, at a residence near Jeremy Drive and Fred Varley Drive in Markham while attending a check-welfare call
- Seized: 12,962 packages of cannabis edibles, 26 kg of loose cannabis edibles, 8 kg of dried cannabis, 18 kg of psilocybin powder, 209 g of THC vaping cartridges, ammunition, a cond
- Joseph Li, 41, Yuan Lin, 39, and Michelle Li, 39, all of Markham, face trafficking, production and distribution charges; sales were mainly online under the name "Buddha Boys"
A Welfare Check Uncovered a Clandestine Lab in Markham
York Regional Police have dismantled a clandestine drug lab in Markham and seized about $639,000 worth of controlled substances.
On October 23, 2026, officers attended a residence near Jeremy Drive and Fred Varley Drive on a check-welfare call.
Inside was evidence of production and distribution in a lab setting.
With the Office of the Fire Marshal, Markham Fire and York Region Paramedic Services, the lab was safely dismantled.
What Investigators Seized
- 12,962 packages of cannabis edibles
- 209 grams of THC vaping cartridges
- 26 kilograms of loose cannabis edibles
- 8 kilograms of dried cannabis
- 18 kilograms of psilocybin powder
Police put the total street value at about $639,000.
Ammunition, a conducted energy weapon and about $100,000 in cash were also seized.
Sales were mainly online under the name "Buddha Boys," through illegitimate websites that mailed or delivered orders.
Three People Charged
Charged are Joseph Li, 41, Yuan Lin, 39, and Michelle Li, 39, all of Markham.
Each faces:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Possession of a Prohibited Device Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Production of Cannabis, under the Cannabis Act
- Possession for the Purpose of Distributing, under the Cannabis Act
- Unlawful Distribution of Cannabis, under the Cannabis Control Act
The charges have not been proven in court.
Tips: Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit, 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7817.
The Twikup Take
A welfare check is meant to make sure someone is safe.
This one uncovered an alleged online drug operation in a Markham home — and a lab needing fire and paramedic crews to dismantle.
Image: Lab apparatus inside the Markham clandestine lab. Photo: York Regional Police