LONDON, ON, July 22, 2013 /CNW/ - On Monday, July 15, 2013 a London Police Service officer observed a male selling contraband cigarettes in front of the Salvation Army on Wellington Street. RCMP officers were contacted, attended the scene and seized the contraband tobacco. The items seized included 2,299 contraband cigarettes in clear plastic re-sealable bags and approximately $2,700 in cash.
Gerald Micks of London, Ontario was arrested and has been charged with possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped under the Excise Act, 2001.
It is an offence in Canada to possess tobacco products not properly stamped under the Excise Act, 2001. Offenders convicted of possessing, buying or selling contraband tobacco products could be subject to fines or penalties ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years. This excludes Provincial fines, which can be many times higher.
Although the effects of illegal tobacco activities may not be obvious, all Canadians, feel the repercussions of these activities in the form of;
- The loss of millions in federal and provincial government revenues.
- Undermining of public health efforts to decrease tobacco use.
- Preventing legitimate business from carrying out their activities in a climate of fair competition.
"The RCMP is committed to working with our partners to tackle the illicit tobacco market and raise public awareness with regards to the consequences of purchasing and possessing contraband tobacco," stated S/Sgt. Steve Arthur, Acting Officer in Charge of RCMP London Detachment.
Gerald Micks is scheduled to appear at the London Court House on September 6, 2013.
Anyone with information regarding the sale and manufacturing of contraband tobacco is asked to contact the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-265-4444.
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Cpl. Darren Morgan
Media Relation Officer
London Detachment
RCMP "O" Division
Office: (519) 645-4329 ext. 248
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