SASKATCHEWAN – A joint investigation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Transnational Serious and Organized Crime (TSOC) team in Saskatchewan and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) resulted in charges against four individuals for various offences under the Criminal Code, the Excise Act, and the Customs Act.
Following a complex investigation, TSOC and CBSA investigators uncovered a smuggling ring which included the extended railway system. The accused are alleged to have illegally transported nearly 116,000 kg of tobacco into Canada from the United States, as well as interprovincially, between October 2020 and April 2024.
On Sep. 21, 2026, the four accused were charged with:
- Conspiracy to smuggle into Canada;
- Conspiracy to transport tobacco;
- Conspiracy to possess raw leaf tobacco; and,
- Conspiracy to evade compliance.
A 48-year-old man, from Toronto, Ont., was charged with:
- Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported (raw leaf tobacco);
- Transporting of tobacco products and raw leaf tobacco;
- Falsifying or destroying records;
- False statements or evasion of duties;
- Smuggle into Canada;
- Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and,
- Possession of property obtained from offences.
A 47-year-old suspect, from Brampton, Ont., was charged with:
- Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported (raw leaf tobacco);
- Transporting of tobacco products and raw leaf tobacco;
- Falsifying or destroying records;
- Smuggle into Canada;
- Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported; and,
- False statements or evasion of duties.
A 50-year-old suspect, from Caledon East, Ont., was charged with:
- Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported (raw leaf tobacco);
- Transporting of tobacco products and raw leaf tobacco;
- Falsifying or destroying records; and,
- False statements or evasion of duties.
A 49-year-old suspect, from Mississauga, Ont., was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
