(Cigarettes image via Shutterstock)
Authorities have seized 311,930 contraband cigarettes and 7,600 grams of fine-cut tobacco as part of an investigation near the Manitoba-Ontario border.
Officials say RCMP, Manitoba Finance’s Taxation Special Investigations Unit, Ontario Ministry of Finance’s Compliance Branch and the Treaty Three Police Service were all involved in the recent seizure.
Fifty-two people face charges and fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and/or up to six months in prison with potential triple tax penalties. The expected combined penalties total $305,619.
Four people also face separate drug charges, while three speeding tickets were issued, two tickets for driving without a valid driver’s license were issued and one ticket for driving an unregistered vehicle was issued.
