Thread: Toronto police 'seize $1M of marijuana' from pizzeria

15 February 2011 Last updated at 14:56 ET

Toronto police 'seize $1M of marijuana' from pizzeria

Pizza Gigi was known for its authentic, "old-school" takeaway pizzas Toronto police say they have seized marijuana with a street value of 1m Canadian dollars ($1m; £618,811) from a takeaway pizza restaurant.

Pizza Gigi's owner, 57-year-old Salvatore Crimi, sold the drug from the restaurant, police alleged.

Investigators obtained a warrant for Monday's raid after watching customers enter and leave without any food.

Police said in a statement they had also seized cocaine, other drugs and 8,000 Canadian dollars in the search.

The restaurant, said to be popular with University of Toronto students, has been at its location for 30 years, according to the Toronto Star.

Toronto Pc Wendy Drummond told the BBC the restaurant was located in a residential area and that the investigation had been sparked by neighbours' complaints.

Mr Crimi appeared in court on Monday but it was not immediately clear how he pleaded.

In a past review, Toronto's Now magazine wrote: "This bare-bones takeout and delivery-only pizzeria couldn't get any more trad, Dad, if it tried, dishing up authentic old-school pizzas with not-too-thick crusts and first-rate sloppy toppings."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12475916

Central Tech was a stoner school from the 70's on. This pizzeria also is not far from the club district where they have shootings and stabbings on a regular basis.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoa ... 96981.html

News Toronto & GTA
Pizzeria goes to pot
By ROB LAMBERTI, Toronto Sun

Last Updated: February 16, 2011 12:14pm

Police seized a drug buffet from a landmark Toronto pizza shop.

Pizza Gigi was raided by police Monday and the 14 Division Major Crime Unit seized about $1 million worth of marijuana, and quantities of Oxycocet, Oxycontin, Ecstasy and about 14 grams of crack.

Detectives also seized $8,000 cash from the Harbord St. pizzeria, just east of Bathurst St., that’s been in operation for decades.

It’s located across the the street from Central Tech high school and was a favourite eating spot for shift workers and revellers.

Police are alleging the suspect they arrested sold marijuana from the business