Another extensive investigation into the sale of contraband tobacco in Greater Victoria has led to the seizure of over half a million dollars’ worth of product.
Last month, VicPD’s General Investigation Services (GIS) section initiated began an investigation that targeted individuals suspected of trafficking contraband tobacco.
The operation culminated in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Esquimalt, where police discovered substantial quantities of contraband cigarettes along with a substantial amount of cash.
On February 22nd, GIS officers conducting covert surveillance observed the suspect engaging in the sale of cartons and packs of cigarettes in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.
On February 24th, the suspect was arrested without incident in the same vicinity.
See also: Victoria among massive province-wide investigation that saw $11M in contraband cigarettes seized
Following the suspect’s arrest, investigators proceeded to execute a search warrant at the individual’s residence in Esquimalt.
There, they seized over 3,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes, in addition to $130,000 in Canadian currency.
Police estimate the commercial value of the confiscated cigarettes is estimated to exceed $500,000.
Legal tobacco sales in British Columbia require that products display provincial stamps indicating the payment of both provincial and federal taxes. Contraband tobacco, in contrast, lacks these stamps, thereby violating provincial regulations.
Police are withholding further information due to the ongoing investigation.
Last month, police detachments spanning Vancouver Island and the mainland orchestrated one of the most significant single seizures of contraband cigarettes in Victoria, Langley, Abbotsford, and Surrey, confiscating approximately $11 million worth of illicit tobacco products.
