Contraband chewing tobacco seized in investigation.
RCMP Winnipeg Customs and Excise Section were notified by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials that they had detected and seized a courier shipment of illegal contraband chewing tobacco, destined to two businesses in Winnipeg.
RCMP Customs and Excise Section, assisted with investigators from both the CBSA and Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit, conducted an investigation that lead to the simultaneous execution of two search warrants at the two business premises of India Spice House in Winnipeg. Two individuals were arrested and a total of 330 lbs of contraband chewing tobacco was seized in this investigation.
Investigators believe that the illicit tobacco products originated from India and entered Canada through the United States. The shipment was detected at a local commercial carrier in Winnipeg and was mislabeled in order to deceive border officials. It is estimated that $25,000 of excise taxes were evaded on the product.
Both individuals, a 50-year-old man and his 53-year-old wife from Winnipeg, will be facing charges under the Customs and Excise Act for possessing unstamped tobacco and for failure to pay duties on the products. Provincially, they will additionally face charges under the Tobacco Tax Act.
Both have been released on a promise to appear and will be appearing in Winnipeg Court on March 22, 2010.
Anyone with any information on contraband tobacco products is asked to contact the RCMP Winnipeg Customs and Excise Section at (204) 983-5423 or via e-mail at smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS) 8477.
Sgt. Andy Tessier
RCMP Winnipeg Customs and Excise Section
(204) 983-5423
Lisa White
Canada Border Services Agency
(403) 292-4011
