New team established to crack down on contraband smokes
Posted Jan 26, 2016 06:51:47 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province is taking action to combat contraband tobacco by creating a new Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team within the Ontario Provincial Police.
Located within the OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, the new team will be dedicated to investigating the smuggling and trafficking of contraband tobacco.
OPP Sgt. Peter Leon tells 570 News about the new team.
“This team has actually been in existence since December 1st of last year and they will be working very closely to make determinations in respect to contraband tobacco. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is very supportive of this initiative and are funding a dedicated team of OPP officers to deal with it– with the sole purpose being to disrupt the contraband tobacco distribution here in the province of Ontario.”
Leon said that there are some tips tobacco consumers should be aware of when purchasing cigarettes.
“The appearance of the cigarettes is the biggest thing. In Ontario, legal cigarettes are clearly marked with a yellow tear tape that says Ontario Canada Paid Duty, the term ‘ON’ is printed on the outside of the package, and the price is usually more that $47 a carton.”
Leon added that if someone is purchasing tobacco in large quantities that are in clear plastic bags, more than likely that tobacco product is illegal.
“Cigarettes that are sold with tear tape other than the yellow Ontario tear tape that I described earlier are also considered illegal cigarettes. It is illegal to buy, possess or distribute untaxed cigarettes without proper authorization. Punishment includes civil penalties, fines, and in some cases, jail time, depending on the quantity of contraband tobacco and conviction history.”
Addressing contraband tobacco continues to be a priority for the province as low-cost, contraband tobacco undermines provincial health objectives under the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, and compromises public safety through links with organized crime.
“With respect to the sale of contraband tobacco products, it does involve a component of organized crime. Seeing and recognizing that is very important– law enforcement and the OPP in particular, our focus is public safety. Any type of contraband sale certainly fuels the underground economy– specifically, organized crime,” said Leon.
He added that this new team will be travelling the province trying to break up the contraband tobacco programs that are in place in some communities.
“We want to ensure the public that we are out there, we are doing our jobs, and we are enforcing the laws that surround this type of activity.”
Leon said that anyone with information can contact OPP, or can can anonymously report cigarettes being sold illegally to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
