Prosecutions and Seizures

Niagara–Fort Erie Region

CBSA officers seize $3.4 million in loose tobacco

Niagara Falls, Ontario, January 23, 2013 –The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that border services officers seized a total of $3.4 million in loose tobacco in two separate seizures at the Queenston and Peace Bridges.

On January 16, 2013, a transport driver presented himself at Queenston Bridge Commercial Operations with a shipment containing 132 boxes declared as recycled paper. During a secondary examination, border services officers noticed indicators that labels may have been removed from each box and replaced by other labels. When opened, the contents were found to be manufactured raw cut tobacco. The 13,200 kg of loose tobacco has an estimated value of $1.7 million.

On the same day, a driver transporting a sea container was referred for secondary examination at Peace Bridge Commercial Operations. The goods were declared as herbal leaf formulation. Upon examination of the contents of the shipment, border services officers discovered 99 boxes with 13,464 kg of loose tobacco with an estimated value of $1.7 million.

“Contraband tobacco is a threat to the security and health of Canadian citizens. People need to be aware that if they purchase contraband tobacco, they are funding criminal activity,” stated Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region, CBSA.

The CBSA continues to investigate both seizures. No charges have been laid.
 
Anyone with information about these seizures or suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060. All calls are completely confidential.

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For media information

Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
Telephone: 905-354-5995 or 519-967-4330
CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

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