Updated: Wed Jul. 30 2008 7:16:57 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

A Queen Street West storeowner charged in a bicycle theft ring is facing drug-trafficking offences after Toronto police recovered 17 pounds of marijuana.

Igor Kenk, 49, was charged before the start of his bail hearing at the Old City Hall courts on Wednesday.

On Monday night, officers seized more than eight pounds of the marijuana in a Dufferin Street garage that Kenk rented, while the rest of the drugs were found at a College Street location. The drugs have a street value of about $70,000.

Kenk is facing 21 drug charges and more than 30 theft and property offences in what Toronto police say is the largest bicycle theft investigation in the city's history.

Officers have recovered more than 3,200 bicycles since their investigation began on July 16. The two-wheelers have come from 16 different locations, mostly garages in the downtown west end near Kenk's store, The Bicycle Clinic.

Kenk was supposed to be released on bail with the consent of the Crown on Wednesday morning, but the deal was scuttled because of the new drug allegations.

The Crown is now opposing the release. Kenk's bail hearing will continue on Thursday.

Jean Laveau, 47, is charged with theft, attempted theft, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools in the probe. Jeanie Chung, 37, who is romantically involved with Kenk, is charged with possession of stolen property and possession of cocaine and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

335 people reunited with their bikes

Meanwhile, police say more people have now been reunited with their bicycles.

"While we are very pleased that 335 people have recovered their bikes so far, we would encourage anyone who has lost a bike to make every effort to visit the two locations where a large number of bikes are currently on display," Supt. Ruth White said in a press release on Wednesday.

The bikes are on display at 35 Strachan Ave. and 30 Ordnance St. They will be available until Thursday for anyone who wants to identify a bicycle they think has been stolen. The hours are from noon to 8 p.m.

Residents are asked to bring identification or proof of ownership. Otherwise, they will have to swear out an affidavit and go through other red tape to lay claim to the bike.

Police say many of the recovered bikes have been stripped of their parts. Dozens of residents have decided to leave their two-wheelers behind, saying it's not worth the cost of fixing them.

Police also reported on Wednesday that the number of bike thefts in 14 Division, in the downtown west end, have decreased dramatically since their investigation began. Between July 23 and 25, only six bike thefts were reported, compared with 21 the week before.

In addition, police said online bicycle registrations with the force have soared in the last two weeks.

In May and June combined, about 1,000 residents registered their bikes. So far in July, the number of registrations has reached almost 4,000.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby