Investigation launched in Nanaimo leads to $12M bust of illegal cigarettes in B.C.
SURREY — Millions in illegal cigarettes, along with precious metals and cash have been seized through the Lower Mainland stemming from an investigation started in the Harbour City.
Mounties with the Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit in Nanaimo began an investigation into the suspected trafficking of illicit tobacco in the fall of 2021.
Their efforts ultimately led to subsequent investigations and police operations through the Maple Ridge, Mission, Cobble Hill, Langley and Abbotsford teams in B.C., as well as in Edmonton.
“The organized crime network involved in this contraband tobacco trafficking operation was also suspected of being linked to cross-border cocaine smuggling, and money laundering activities that had been a subject of joint enforcement actions by RCMP…and FBI in 2020,” an RCMP release noted.