By Brian Schultz
Manitoba Finance has made a second seizure of contraband cigarettes in just 10 days.
The Special Investigations Unit seized 150,000 cigarettes in unmarked plastic bags on Thursday, with each carton holding about 200 cigarettes.
A total of 150 bags of contraband cigarettes were seized from a vehicle and another 600 bags from a self-storage unit in Winnipeg.
The estimated Manitoba tobacco taxes being avoided is $30,750.
A Winnipeg man was arrested and is facing charges under the Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and the Excise Act. He will appear in court on April 14.
The maximum penalty if convicted is fines up to $5,000 and/or three months in prison. A tax penalty of $92,250 could also be assessed.
On February 1, officers seized 240,000 cigarettes as part of an unrelated investigation. Charges are pending against two people.
