8.75 million illegal cigarettes found by RCMP in largest ever seizure

An inspection of a semi and trailer on Highway #1 near Swift Current by the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol weigh station officer resulted in their largest tobacco seizure.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team determined about 8.75 million unstamped cigarettes were in the truck.

“STRT’s mandate is to stop inter-provincial trafficking – both human trafficking and that of controlled substances and firearms,” said Supt. Glenn Church from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team.

“We’re grateful for our partnership with the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, which resulted in millions of illegal cigarettes from entering Canadian communities.”

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On July 17, officers determined the bill of lading was false for the semi. RCMP said “officers located approximately 30 pallets of unstamped tobacco in the trailer. The driver of the truck from Calgary was arrested.”

“The great work of the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol’s weigh scale officers continues to keep our roads safe, protect our infrastructure and remove illicit goods from the market,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman said.

“Thanks to an attentive officer and our partnership with the RCMP, we were once again able to prevent organized crime from profiting from illegal activity.”

RCMP said the truck was travelling from Ontario to British Columbia.

The accused is scheduled for the Swift Current Provincial Court on Aug. 14.