As a result of a recent traffic stop near Falcon Lake, Manitoba, RCMP have seized a large quantity of contraband cigarettes.
On February 10, 2020, at approximately 3pm, the RCMP Roving Traffic Unit conducted a traffic stop on a westbound vehicle at a location on Highway 1, near Falcon Lake, Manitoba.
Police say that following a discussion with the two occupants of the vehicle, an inspection of the load uncovered 120 cases of illegal tobacco, containing 1.2 million cigarettes.
As a result of investigation, RCMP have arrested two males, 47-year-old Issa Ahmad and 40-year-old Behzad Ahmed, both from Edmonton, Alberta. The two suspects are facing charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for trafficking contraband tobacco, the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act (TAMTA) and the Excise Act, 2001. If convicted, the two male suspects could face a mandatory triple tax penalty of $1,080,000 under the TAMTA.
RCMP report that both male suspects were originally remanded into custody and have since been released on court imposed conditions for a court appearance scheduled for March 2, 2020.
