Nine charged in sale of contraband tobacco

(Update)

The mounties are showing off the haul after a major illegal tobacco bust — nine million dollars worth after searching properties near Brantford, Woodstock and London. And they found dozens of weapons — and more.

45 shotguns were among the many seizures as the RCMP investigated at least two groups of people illegally growing and selling tobacco. Several tips from the public alerted them to the cheap smokes being sold on the black market in the last two years.

RCMP Superintendent Jamie Jagoe: “During the course of the investigation there were some indication if the police attended some of the properties that they may be met with some violence so there was caution taken when we executed the search warrants.”

No one was hurt. police also seized marijuana, hash, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, vehicles involved in the illegal operation and a boat.

RCMP Sup’t. Jagoe: “Our investigators learned these brokers and growers were illegally selling raw leaf tobacco in amounts ranging from individual bails worth a few thousand dollars all the way to a tractor trailer loads loaded with raw leaf tobacco worth up to $200 thousand dollars.”

The RCMP says the 9 million dollar worth of illegal tobacco short changed the government of 3.5 million dollars in taxes. The RCMP says people who grow and sell tobacco need a licence and are regulated by the government.

RCMP Sup’t Jagoe: “It undermines our governments efforts to reduce the use of tobacco in Canada by providing illegal cigarettes to people of all ages for as little as a few dollars.”

To be more specific, the RCMP says a carton of the illegal cigarettes ranged from 15 to 25 dollars. Police did not release any names today because the people arrested are all to appear in court over the next two weeks. The RCMP says it expects to make more arrests.