Officials are calling it Manitoba's largest-ever seizure of contraband cigarettes.
360 cases, the equivalent to 3,570,400 contraband cigarettes were seized in Brandon last week on Wednesday.
Brandon Police arrested 4 men from Brandon ranging in age from 46-60 years old.
The cigarettes came from a First Nation community in Ontario.
The province could’ve lost $1,071,120 in tax revenue had the cigarettes been sold.
The men face charges under the Tobacco Tax Act and the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. For a first-time offence, they could be fined between $1,000 and $10,000, and/or face up to 6 months imprisonment if convicted. Additionally, they may face a triple tax penalty of $3,213,360 and a loss of assets to the Criminal Forfeiture Unit. They’ll also face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Anyone with information on contraband tobacco is encouraged to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at 1-800-222-8477.
