CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Close to $2.3 million in illicit cigarettes and cigars have been seized following a six-month-long investigation.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), along with Edmonton police searched a warehouse in the north end of the city where they found the contraband items.
The AGLC estimates the total lost tax revenue from the tobacco products could be more than $797,000.
The agency defines contraband tobacco products as any that do not comply with provincial and federal laws relating to importation, marketing, duties or taxes are often manufactured illegally.
On top of lost revenues, the AGLC said that illegally manufactured tobacco products also pose health and safety risks as they are not properly regulated or inspected.
As a result of the investigation, one man from Calgary and another from Edmonton have been arrested and charged with trafficking in contraband tobacco and are due to appear in court on Apr. 8.
