Vancouver Island, BC – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have made a significant bust on Vancouver Island, seizing a large cache of contraband cigarettes.
According to a statement released by the RCMP, the bust took place on Wednesday, May 26th, in the town of Nanaimo. The RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, along with the assistance of the Nanaimo RCMP, executed a search warrant on a residence in the area.
During the search, officers discovered and seized over 1,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes, with an estimated street value of $200,000. The cigarettes were found in various locations throughout the residence, including hidden compartments and false walls.
The RCMP also seized a significant amount of cash, believed to be proceeds from the sale of the illegal cigarettes. The investigation is ongoing, and charges are expected to be laid against the individuals involved.
Sergeant Rob Graves, of the Nanaimo RCMP, stated that the seizure of these contraband cigarettes is a significant blow to the illegal tobacco trade in the area. He also emphasized the dangers of purchasing and consuming these illegal products, as they do not undergo the same safety and quality checks as legally sold cigarettes.
The RCMP is urging anyone with information about the illegal sale of contraband cigarettes to come forward and report it to their local police or Crime Stoppers.
This bust is just one example of the RCMP’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and protect the public from the dangers of illegal activities. The RCMP remains committed to working with its partners to keep our communities safe and secure.
The RCMP would like to remind the public that the sale and possession of contraband cigarettes is a serious criminal offence, and those involved will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
For more information on the dangers of contraband cigarettes and how to report illegal activities, please visit the RCMP’s website.
