Roughly $12.3M of illegal tobacco products seized in 2 investigations in Edmonton
Posted June 20, 2025 11:34 am.
Last Updated June 20, 2025 2:32 pm.
Edmonton police and the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) say roughly $12.3 million worth of illegal cigarettes and cigars have been seized following a pair of investigations.
The AGLC says the seizure came after a pair of investigations that lasted two and three weeks.
The first investigation led to a search warrant for an individual who was connected to a commercial warehouse and a detached garage in Edmonton.
During the search, police found and seized 19,000 cartons of illegal cigarettes and cigars along with 50,000 grams of contraband shisha.
Police estimate the total value to be around $3.5 million, noting that it avoided roughly $1.1 million in provincial taxes.
The second investigation led to an individual who was using commercial storage lockers, a warehouse and a vehicle to allegedly traffic contraband tobacco in Edmonton.
This investigation led police to seize 47,000 cartons of illegal cigarettes and 100,000 grams of contraband shisha.
Police estimate the total value to be around $8.3 million, noting that it avoided roughly $2.9 million in provincial taxes.
“Keeping illegal tobacco off the streets helps make our communities safer and supports local businesses that work hard to ensure they are following the law and selling legal products. AGLC is proud of our mandate to combat the rise of contraband tobacco in our province,” said Kandice Machado, Chief Executive Officer, AGLC
Charges are pending in connection with both investigations.
