A Manitoba RCMP officer inspects a shipment of contraband cigarettes in the back of a commercial tractor-trailer near West Hawk Lake on May 29, 2026. (RCMP HANDOUT)
Two men are facing contraband tobacco charges after RCMP seized more than 7.8 million cigarettes from a commercial vehicle at a weigh station near West Hawk Lake last month.
The seizure occurred on May 29 when a Motor Carrier Enforcement officer with Manitoba Finance’s Special Investigations Unit flagged a semi-trailer at the weigh station. Falcon Beach RCMP arrested the driver, a 40-year-old man from Brooks, Alta., and his co-driver, a 70-year-old man from Toronto, Ont.
Manitoba RCMP took over the investigation and searched the impounded trailer, finding 781 cases of contraband tobacco — each containing 50 cartons of 10,000 cigarettes — for a total of 39,050 cartons, or 7,810,000 cigarettes. The street value is estimated between $2.34 million and $3.12 million.
Both men were released on appearance notices and are scheduled to appear in Steinbach court on August 7, 2026, facing charges of possession of contraband tobacco, possession for the purpose of distribution, and possession of unstamped tobacco.
Manitoba’s triple tax penalty on the seizure is estimated at $7.03 million, with an additional federal excise tax penalty of approximately $1.33 million.
