Enforcement team created to combat contraband tobacco

By Cam Kennedy

BELLEVILLE – A new enforcement team has been created to help minimize the amount of contraband tobacco coming in to the province.

The team, which began operations on Dec. 1, consists of members of the Ontario Provincial Police.

“One sergeant and four OPP detective constables,” said Sgt. Peter Leon.

The investigative team is based out of the OPP’s general headquarters in Orillia and will be a mobile team.

“Their work will include travelling to various parts of the province to deal with issues involving contraband tobacco,” he said.

While contraband tobacco is a big issue in itself, it can also lead to bigger problems according to Leon.

“Contraband tobacco is closely linked to smuggling and organized crime,” he said.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police estimates that 175 criminal organizations are involved in the smuggling of contraband tobacco.

In a press release on Monday, the province said they believe money generated from the sales of illegal tobacco finances drug and weapon trafficking.

Since 2008, the Ministry of Finance has seized more than 252 million contraband cigarettes, 4.1 million untaxed cigars, and 169 million grams of untaxed fine-cut or other tobacco products.