An estimated $188,000 worth of contraband cigarettes seized.
On February 5, 2010, at about 1pm, a Portage la Prairie RCMP member was patrolling the Trans Canada Highway near Road 31 West in Portage la Prairie when a 1997 GMC 2500 truck from Quebec was observed traveling westbound.
RCMP noted the vehicle was missing the front licence plate and had dark tinted windows. The vehicle was stopped for the equipment violation when police were able to observe the driver in possession of a pack of contraband cigarettes.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested under the Federal Excise Act. The vehicle was searched resulting in the seizure of 47 cases of contraband cigarettes, each containing 50 cartons of totaling 470,000 cigarettes.
The value of the contraband cigarettes is estimated at $188,000. A small amount of marijuana and $1000 in cash was also located.
The driver, a 50-year-old male from Quebec, will be facing charges under the Federal Excise Act and the Provincial Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act. He was released on a promise to appear in Winnipeg Court on March 25, 2010.
The Manitoba Provincial Tax avoided on 470,000 cigarettes amounts to $86,950. In this matter, on conviction, a mandatory Triple Tax Penalty of $260,850 would be assessed.
The RCMP Portage Detachment with the assistance of the RCMP Customs and Excise Section and in conjunction with the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit continue to investigate.
If anyone has any information on contraband tobacco, they are urged to contact their local police department or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
Cst. Shawn Smith
Portage la Prairie RCMP
Tel:(204)239-8908
Fax: (204) 239-0130
