A Calgary trucker is facing a number of charges and a potential fine of $3,000,000.00 if he is convicted for trafficking contraband tobacco.
RCMP say that on Sunday, May 3, 2020, members of their roving traffic unit stopped a vehicle that was westbound on Highway 1 about two kilometres east of Brandon.
An inspection of the truck’s load uncovered 350 cases of illegal tobacco. Police say that equates to 3,500,000 cigarettes.
The driver, a 36-year-old male from Alberta, was arrested and charged under the Criminal Code of Canada for trafficking contraband tobacco, the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act (TAMTA) and the Excise Act, 2001.
The driver was released on court-imposed conditions and will appear in a Winnipeg court on July 2, 2020.
“We believe that this is one of the largest seizures of illegal tobacco from a traffic stop in Canada,” said Staff Sergeant Kyle McFadyen of the Manitoba RCMP’s Traffic Services. “It really speaks to the importance of the Manitoba RCMP’s Roving Traffic Unit. This unit is comprised of officers with specialized training who work to identify potential criminals travelling on our roadways. The officers do this work as they conduct Highway Traffic Act enforcement.”
The investigation continues
© News4.ca 2020
