Edmonton-area contraband tobacco network was bringing in ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars a month,’ police claim
Posted March 17, 2026 1:15 pm.
Police say four Edmonton men are facing charges for allegedly operating a contraband tobacco trafficking network “like a business.”
Parkland RCMP say contraband cigarettes were being sold in the Parkland area, and distributors were even handing out business cards to potential customers.
Police believe the operation was netting profits “in the hundreds of thousands of dollars a month.”
“Investigation into the concern revealed that customers were calling a distributed phone number to place orders for illegal tobacco,” police said in a news release.
Authorities say their investigation led them to search a north Edmonton home on March 5, where 202,460 illegal cigarettes and $53,000 in cash were found. Mounties believe the money was proceeds of crime.
“The seizure represents more than $100,000 in avoided taxes and a significant loss to local retailers,” police add.
All four Edmonton men are facing charges under the Federal Excise Act. Two of them are also facing criminal code charges of trafficking unstamped tobacco.
