RCMP & Postal Inspectors Seize Contraband Tobacco

Two people are facing charges after a large quantity of tobacco was seized.

A 24-year-old Ontario woman and a 26-year-old Carbonear man were charged following the seizure of contraband tobacco by Harbour Grace RCMP in partnership with Canadian Postal Inspectors.

On May 26, Canadian Postal Inspectors in St. John’s alerted Harbour Grace RCMP of two suspicious parcels that they intercepted containing 100 cartons of non-stamped tobacco destined for a residence in Carbonear.

Two more shipments were further intercepted by Postal Inspectors containing 215 additional cartons of non-stamped tobacco, nine ounces of dried cannabis, and a quantity of cannabis edibles.

On June 2, Harbour Grace RCMP obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence in Carbonear. Police arrested a man and a woman inside the home and located a quantity of money and other evidence consistent with the possession and sale of non-stamped tobacco.

A number of specialized RCMP sections and partners, including RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime, RCMP Police Dog Services, Holyrood and Harbour Grace RCMP General Investigation Services, and Canadian Postal Inspectors, assisted in the investigation.

The man and woman each face a charge under the Federal Excise Act 2001, for unlawful possession of unstamped tobacco, and a charge under the Provincial Revenue Administration Act for unlawful possession of contraband tobacco.

The two individuals, who were released from custody, are set to appear in Harbour Grace Court on September 9.