In a joint investigation between Brandon Police Service and Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Services Investigations Unit, 92 cases of illegal cigarettes were seized on April 23, 2021.
Investigators intercepted the shipment in the RM of Whitehead. Each case contained 10,000 cigarettes. Officers also seized more than 53 pound of cannabis and in excess of $25,000 in cash.
(Submitted | Brandon Police Service)
Five males aged 46-60 were arrested, four from Brandon and one from Gilbert Plains. All five are facing charges for their alleged involvement for Possession of Unauthorized stamped Tobacco and Possess greater than 25 Units of Unmarked Tobacco.
The accused from Gilbert Plains is also facing Possession for the Purpose of Distributing (cannabis) as well as Possession of Proceeds of Crime.
Officials say that the seized tobacco represented more than $1 million in potential lost tax revenue.
All five accused were released from custody and will appear in a Brando court in July.
© News4.ca 2021
