Prosecutions and Seizures

Pacific Region

Largest counterfeit tobacco seizure in BC history
CBSA and RCMP seize over 50,000 cartons of illegal tobacco

Vancouver, British Columbia, May 5, 2010 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Border Integrity Program's Customs and Excise Team announced today that they have made the largest counterfeit tobacco seizure in British Columbia's history. Their combined efforts resulted in over 50,000 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes being seized with an approximate street value of $3.4 million.

"This announcement once again demonstrates how outstanding cooperation between the RCMP and the CBSA is making our communities safe," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety. "Our government realizes that the proceeds of illegal tobacco fuel organized crime and undermine the safety of our communities. I congratulate the RCMP and the CBSA, who continue to work together in order to keep illegal tobacco off our streets."

On April 15, 2010, a marine container shipment arrived at the Port of Vancouver and was referred for secondary examination. The container, from China and destined for a Richmond address, was declared as household sinks; however, upon further examination, border services officers found that the boxes contained contraband cigarettes.

The CBSA immediately informed the RCMP's Customs and Excise Team that they had intercepted a marine shipping container with a significant quantity of smuggled tobacco products. RCMP officers determined that the products were counterfeit U.S. and Canadian brands, and various Chinese brands not normally available in Canada. Officers of the Border Integrity Customs and Excise Team, with the assistance of the CBSA, then conducted an investigation to determine the ultimate recipients of the contraband tobacco.

"This is the largest-ever tobacco seizure of counterfeit product destined for British Columbia," said Sergeant Duncan Pound of the RCMP Federal Border Integrity Team. "This amount of illegal tobacco costs the public millions of dollars in lost duties and taxes when not regulated."

"The RCMP and the CBSA are determined to stop the flow of counterfeit products into Canada by continuing to work together at the border and beyond," added John Dyck, CBSA's Metro Vancouver District Director.

On April 19, 2010, RCMP officers arrested six Lower Mainland males. The six were later released from custody. The investigation is on-going.

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For media information

Sgt. Duncan Pound
Federal Border Integrity Program
604-264-3674

Faith St John
Canada Border Services Agency
604-666-5492