An investigation has recently been concluded into Moxipay Corporation, a company in Edmonton that initiated the payments for illegal online cannabis dispensaries. The investigation conducted by the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, in partnership with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada Revenue Agency, the Forensic Accounting Management Group and the Seized Property Management Directorate has found out that Moxipay is guilty of financial crimes involving transfer and receipt of funds from unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in Canada. The team also found out that Moxipay has completed over 84,000 illegal transactions and amount up to $15 million via e-transfer to several local banks and later moved to the accounts of illegal online dispensaries, which is against Canada online cannabis purchase act as cannabis is only allowed to be purchased through Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis’ Online site.
Ando Covelli, 67, John Oluk, 67, Marco Bonnani, 45, and Daniel Tse, 39, who are Directors of Moxiplay were charged with several criminal code offences relating to money-laundering, possession of property obtained through crime, trafficking of such, and commission of the offence for criminal organizations. The offences also include failure to register with FINTRAC, failure to identify person, and failure to report perceived criminal activities. An employee named Lorenzo John Covelli, 31 was also charged along with them.
The Vice president of Regulatory Services, AGLC, Dave Berry, has reiterated to the public that albertacannabis.org is the only one legal source of cannabis online and there are several health and risks associated with sourcing illegal cannabis. Bank information can as well be collected when people purchase from unlicensed sources.
