Contraband tobacco investigation: The CBSA lays charges against traffickers in Montréal and Toronto

MONTREAL, Dec. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - On November 28, 2012, after conducting an investigation, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) laid 186 charges for tobacco smuggling against four individuals under the Criminal Code, the Customs Act and the Excise Act.

Lukman Patel of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Imran Intwala of Scarborough, Aravindan Rasanathan of Montréal, and Yunus Patel of Montréal, were charged with conspiring to import more than 828 kg of chewing tobacco into Canada by courier. They are also charged with having purchased and/or received unstamped tobacco. The individuals have been summoned to appear in court at the Montréal Courthouse on February 5, 2013.

This investigation began in 2009 thanks to the vigilance of border services officers. It resulted in the execution of searches on November 30, 2011 at four residences in the Montréal area and one residence in the Toronto area.

"Contraband tobacco is a growing 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 Benoît Chiquette, Regional Director General, Quebec Region, CBSA.

It is prohibited to smuggle, possess or sell tobacco products that are not stamped in accordance with the law. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

SOURCE: CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY

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