According to a release from the province, investigators recently completed “Project Shrek,” which looked into the illegal cigarette trade in Manitoba. According to the province, they seized more than three million cigarettes from one person, the largest seizure ever made from one person. In addition to the cigarettes, $3,000 in cash, a personal truck and a trailer were seized. Police also confiscated smaller quantities of cigarettes, bringing the total seized to 3,426,145. Six adults face various charges under the Tobacco Tax Act, the Fiscal Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act and the Criminal Code. The province said the seized cigarettes represent $1,027,844 in tobacco tax revenue and $4,063,803 in financial tax penalties upon conviction. In addition to the six people charged, three stores in Winnipeg also face charges and have their tobacco retail licenses suspended: Royal Supermarket on Wellington Avenue, Honey Convenience on Provencher Boulevard and Muncheez on Dufferin Avenue. None of the charges have been proven in court. First-time offenders under the law face fines between $1,000 and $10,000, up to six months in jail and a possible triple tax penalty. Subsequent violations can result in individuals being fined between $10,000 and $50,000 and up to 12 months in jail. Violators also face suspension of their tobacco retail license. The province said the Winnipeg Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and Quebec Provincial Police were assisting in the investigation.
