Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services are reporting that two suspects were recently arrested and charged after a quantity of contraband cigarettes were seized resulting from a traffic stop on Highway 1.
On June 11, 2026, at 3:20pm, a Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services officer was travelling west on Highway 1, near Dufresne, when a vehicle came up behind him travelling at 130km/h.
After pulling the vehicle over, the two occupants told the officer that they were travelling home to Winnipeg from Ontario. During this time, the officer could smell the odor of raw cannabis in the vehicle, and both were arrested as a result. An initial search of the vehicle pursued and resulted in the discovery of a bag containing unstamped cigarettes. A further search led to the seizure of additional cartons of cigarettes hidden in cooler bags inside the vehicle and a large amount of Canadian Currency. In total, 800 cartons of cigarettes were seized with an approximate street value of $80,000.
Police say that the occupants were arrested for possession of unstamped cigarettes.
RCMP report that the driver, a 62-year-old female from Grand Rapids, and the passenger, a 78-year-old male from Winnipeg, have been charged for possession of contraband tobacco under the Excise Act, possession of contraband tobacco for the purpose of distribution and proceeds of crime under the Criminal Code as well as possession of unstamped tobacco under the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. The driver has also been served with a total of $1,351 in fines for speeding, unlawful transportation of cannabis inside a vehicle, and possession of cannabis that is not packed, labelled and stamped.
The two suspects have been released on an appearance notice for a future court date scheduled in Steinbach.
Officers noted that the Manitoba triple tax penalty on this seizure is $0.90 per cigarette, for a triple tax fine of $144,000 and an additional Excise Tax (Federal) of $0.17 per cigarette for a fine of $27,200.
