Advertisement

Illegal tobacco busts in three Alberta communities lead to charges

A glimpse of some of the illegal tobacco seized by Quebec police in raids on April 30, 2014. Barry Donnelly/Global News

EDMONTON – Alberta investigators have charged three people in three different communities following a seizure of illegal tobacco products.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission says materials seized included water-pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco and cigars that would have cost the province about $32,000 in lost tax revenue.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Commission spokeswoman Jody Korchinski says the charges include criminal fraud and the unlawful sale of tobacco products under the provincial tax act.

The suspects in the unrelated cases are from Calgary, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie.

The Finance Department estimates the province loses about $18 million a year in taxes because of contraband tobacco.

The Western Convenience Stores Association last week called on the Alberta government to crack down on the sale of illegal tobacco.

Sponsored content

AdChoices