Manitoba seizes 500K contraband cigarettes from Winnipeg home
Manitoba Finance’s special investigations unit seized more than 53 cases, which is the equivalent of 530,587 contraband cigarettes, from a home in Winnipeg on Oct. 21.
A 52-year-old man from Calgary and a 46-year-old man from Winnipeg were arrested at a home on Bronx Avenue while unloading cases of the illegal tobacco products. The men have been released from custody.
The province notes these contraband products could have resulted in a tax revenue loss of $159,176.
The accused face charges under Manitoba’s Tobacco Tax Act, the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act, and the Criminal Code of Canada. If convicted for a first-time offence under the provincial tax acts, the accused could be fined between $1,000 to $10,000 and face up to six months in prison. They could also face a triple tax penalty of $477,528.
During this incident, the special investigations unit seized a number of illegal brands, including Playfare Full Flavour, Canadian Classics, Nexus Light, Canadian Goose and Canadian Charcoal. These brands are considered illegal in Canada and are ineligible for a tobacco tax stamp.
The province is reminding Manitobans that possession of unstamped tobacco is illegal, poses a greater health risk, and can hurt businesses in the community.
Anyone with information about contraband tobacco products is asked to contact a local police department, the special investigations unit at 204-945-1137 or taxation.siutips@gov.mb.ca, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.