West Shore RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime seize over 1.7 million dollars worth of contraband tobacco

West Shore

2025-01-08 07:10 PST

On December 30 2024, West Shore RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime unit executed a search warrant on a residential property located on Setchfield Ave in Langford.

The warrant to search was granted under the Excise Act in relation to suspected trafficking of illicit tobacco. Police seized approximately 17,100 cartons, equal to about 171,000 individual packs of contraband cigarettes with an estimated retail value of over 1.7 million dollars.

Video depicts Police enlisted the help of forklift and flatbed truck to seize the contraband tobacco:

This is the largest seizure of illicit tobacco that West Shore RCMP has had to date, said Todd Preston, Superintendent in Charge of West Shore RCMP. The illicit tobacco trade often utilizes the same drug pipelines that are set up by organized crime groups therefore contributing to the growth of organized crime. I commend the efforts of our Drugs and Organized Crime Unit in taking a multifaceted approach to targeting organized crime in the West Shore.

The sale of illicit tobacco helps to fund organized crime groups while also affecting the economic integrity of Canadians through lost tax revenue that would otherwise go toward supporting many government funded initiatives.

West Shore RCMP is working hard to make our communities a safer place to live. You can make a difference by reporting suspicious activity. If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact your local police.

This investigation is ongoing and no arrests or charges have been laid at this time. However, police anticipate charges and a various fines under the Excise Act once the investigation is complete.

Released by:

Email: westshore_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: westshore.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

Follow Us: