A joint enforcement operation, known as Project Debit, recently made a large seizure of contraband tobacco and firearms as well as several arrests at Dakota Plains First Nation, southwest of Portage la Prairie. The arrests were made on January 22, 2014. Participating in the operation were RCMP Serious and Organized Crime, RCMP Portage la Prairie and Manitoba Finance, with the assistance of the Dakota Ojibway Police Service.
Contraband tobacco and firearms seized by RCMP and Manitoba Finance.
Police arrested Matthew Audi, 26, and Christopher Wilkins, 30, both of Quebec, after they had made a delivery of contraband tobacco to a smoke shop at Dakota Plains First Nation. The owner of the shop, Craig Blacksmith, 51, was arrested shortly after.
A search warrant was executed, and during the search of the property, 4800 cartons of cigarettes were seized as well as 3 firearms. The lone employee of the shop, Tammy Walters, 42, was also arrested. During the search, police became aware of a rental locker paid for by Blacksmith. When that was searched, further seizures were made, including 2 cases of tobacco and 3 more firearms.
In total, 951,225 cigarettes were seized, 1845 tins of chew, 6 firearms, cash and 1 vehicle. The Manitoba tax avoided is $292,572.68. If convicted of the provincial offences, each accused can face a tax penalty of triple the amount avoided, amounting to $877,718.04.
All those arrested have been released on a promise to appear.
By law, all cigarettes and tobacco must have a Health Canada warning along with a stamp indicating that the required duties and taxes have been paid on them. Packages of cigarettes in Manitoba are required to display a stamp indicating taxes have been paid to Manitoba. Manitoba taxes must be paid on other tobacco products, such as chew, when imported into Manitoba. Millions of dollars that could fund social programs, education, employment programs and health care is lost when tax revenue to federal and provincial governments is not paid.
If you have any information on contraband tobacco, you are urged to contact your local police department or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
