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More than 42,000 illegal cigarettes and 1,000 cigars have been seized from a Lloydminster home following a tobacco trafficking investigation.
In August, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) began an investigation into tobacco trafficking after a social media page was advertising, selling and distributing tobacco products.
On Dec. 13, three search warrants were executed on a home and two vehicles. A 12-gauge shotgun, a 2009 Ford F350, a 2022 Toyota Tacoma, 42,800 illegal cigarettes, 1,000 illegal cigars, 23.6 kilograms of illegal chewing tobacco, and $16,303 in cash were seized.
“Seeing a network of distribution this large was happening in Lloydminster is concerning and we are glad to have dismantled it,” said MacLean. “Regardless of the commodity, ALERT is committed to targeting and dismantling networks distributing illegal products. It is important to our team to pursue organized criminality at all levels.”
A 57-year-old Lloydminster man was arrested while allegedly attempting to mail illicit tobacco products through Canada Post, ALERT said.
He faces numerous changes including sell, offer for sale, transport, deliver, distribute or have in their possession unstamped tobacco, fraud exceeding $5,000 and sale of tobacco without a license.
He has been released and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 7.
Source: EdmontonJournal
