Real estate agent Jennifer Wu arrested in Romania

Officers working out of the York Regional Police Drugs and Vice Unit have arrested a 46-year-old female in Bucharest, Romania wanted for numerous outstanding conspiracy and drug charges dating back to 2002.

In 2000, York Regional Police responded to an increase in large-scale indoor marihuana grow operations within the region. Drugs and Vice Unit investigators began tackling the owners and operators of these illegal operations. One investigation identified a licenced real estate agent operating out of Richmond Hill by the name of Jennifer WU. Ms. WU used her position as a real estate agent to obtain rental properties to be used to grow marihuana.

Following an extensive and cooperative investigation with agencies from the Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Durham Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Revenue Canada., Ms. WU was ultimately arrested in 2002 and linked to over 55 indoor marihuana grow operations across the Greater Toronto Area that resulted in the seizure of more than 30,000 marihuana plants.

On February 13, 2006, Ms. WU was scheduled to stand trial before the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket but failed to appear. A warrant was issued for her arrest.

Investigators continued to work on locating Ms. WU, believing she might have fled from Canada. On November 19, 2010, investigators located Ms. WU who was found to be operating a daycare in Bucharest, Romania.

With the assistance of the Canadian Department of Justice, an extradition request was sent to the Romanian authorities on February 21, 2011, for the extradition of Ms. WU.

On March 11, 2011, York Regional Police were advised Ms. WU had been arrested and would be held in custody, pending extradition to Canada.

Investigators from York Regional Police attended the Henri Coanda Airport located in Bucharest, Romania and took custody of Ms. WU from the Romanian authorities. Ms. WU was transported back to Canada and arrived at Pearson International Airport on Friday, March 25, 2011.

ARRESTED:

• Sau San Jennifer WU, 46,

CHARGES:

• Production of a Controlled Substance
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Theft of Electricity
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime
• Income Tax and Goods and Services Tax Evasion
• Fail to Comply with Restraint Order
• Breach of Recognizance of Bail
• Fail To Appear

Ms. WU will appear sometime today before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket for a bail hearing