Manitoba Finance reports its Special Investigations Unit yesterday seized 150,000 contraband cigarettes. The cigarettes were contained in unmarked plastic bags, each holding a carton equivalent of 200 cigarettes.
An investigation led to a search warrant being obtained and executed on a vehicle and on a self-storage unit in Winnipeg yesterday. A total of 150 bags of contraband cigarettes were seized from the vehicle and a further 600 bags seized from the storage unit. Winnipeg Police Service general patrol uniformed members assisted at the search scenes.
One adult male from Winnipeg was arrested and subsequently released on charges of possession of the cigarettes under the Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and the Excise Act (2001). He is to appear in court on April 14. The potential Manitoba tobacco taxes avoided would be $30,750. If convicted, he would face fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment for as long as three months or both. A tax penalty of $92,250 could also be assessed. Additional penalties could apply under the Excise Act (2001).
If anyone has information on contraband tobacco, they are urged to contact their local police department, the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137 or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
This large seizure of contraband cigarettes is the second apprehension made by the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit this month. On Feb. 1, a separate and unrelated seizure of 240,000 cigarettes was made and charges are pending against two individuals under the Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and the Excise Act.
