– Connects Criminal Organizations and Contraband Tobacco.
The recent multi-city investigation which resulted in the largest one-time seizure of contraband cigarettes in B.C. history is directly connected to organized crime.
Police seized 11.9 million cigarettes — worth an estimated $11 million — contraband liquor, illegal drugs, cannabis, a cocaine press and other drug trafficking paraphernalia. In addition, a sizeable quantity of guns, ammunition, body armour, and vehicles were seized.
“Organized crime groups support their criminal enterprise in various ways, including by dealing in illicit commodities,” states Sgt. Brenda Winpenny of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. (CSFEU-BC) at a recent media conference.
“What you are seeing is the revenue stream of a well funded business. The only thing missing is human smuggling, money laundering, and a few other activities”, says BC Crime Stoppers Executive Director Weldon LeBlanc.
LeBlanc adds, “We want people to be aware that when they buy contraband products, they are funding organized crime. And when organized crime comes to your community, violence follows.”
Criminal organizations often engage in illicit activities which fall below the radar of public awareness. One such activity is the trafficking of contraband tobacco; an underground industry with deep roots in organized crime – threatening the safety of all communities.
BC Crime Stoppers is currently engaged in a province-wide campaign to increase public awareness of the connection between contraband tobacco, crime, and violence.
In March, BC Crime Stoppers will begin a Double Reward campaign targeting contraband tobacco throughout BC.
“The goal of this campaign is to encourage the public to report illegal contraband tobacco activity”, states LeBlanc. He adds, “Our interest isn’t so much about those buying for their personal use; we want information targeting the sale, distribution, and production.”
Contraband tobacco is a multi-billion-dollar cash cow for organized gangs in Canada. In British Columbia, it is estimated between $215 million and $591 million in tobacco tax revenue is lost to illegal sales between 2019 and 2022. The Okanagan region and the Lower Mainland are hotspots for contraband tobacco. More frequently police throughout BC are making significant arrests and seizures of contraband tobacco in conjunction with weapons and drugs.
BC Crime Stoppers wants to shine a light on this hidden underworld and increase public awareness between violence, contraband tobacco, and organized gangs.
To report illegal activity call your local police. To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers 800-222-8477, or bccrimestoppers.com.
For more information contact:
Weldon LeBlanc,
Executive Director,
BC Crime Stoppers
E: Weldon@kpj.a82.myftpupload.com
P: 250-859-5993.