Illegal Tobacco Distributers Halted

    BOWMANVILLE, ON, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - On Tuesday, December 9th, 2008, charges
were laid against six individuals after a joint investigation by the Special
Investigation Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Revenue and the Custom and
Excise Unit of the Greater Toronto Area RCMP.
    On December 5th, 2008, six individuals were arrested for possession of
unlawfully packed and stamped tobacco in Mississauga Ontario. At the time of
arrest, three vehicles were seized. On Saturday December 6th, two search
warrants were executed and approximately 200, 22.5 kg cases of illegal tobacco
products were seized. These tobacco products were of various East Indian and
Pakistani brands.
    First court appearance for the six individuals is set for January 21st,
2009 at the Brampton Court house in order to answer charges under the Excise
Act 2001.Charged are:

    ZAHEER, Hasan, from Mississauga
    ZAHEER, Mohammed, Tafazzul, from Mississauga
    ZAHEER, Mohammed, Vilayet, from Mississauga
    ZAHEER, Mohammed, Jafar, from Mississauga
    PATEL, Vindodcumar, Gijubhai, from Brampton
    PATEL, Dipakkumar B., from Brampton"The sale of contraband tobacco products does not represent any medium or
long-term benefit for anyone except the individuals making the profits. There
are negative health, economic and public safety consequences for all our
communities in relation to the production and sale of contraband tobacco
products", said RCMP Inspector Greg Johnson, the Officer in charge of the GTA
Customs and Excise Unit. "The RCMP is committed to working internally as well
as with its partners and stakeholders to ensure that every effort is made to
enhance public safety and economic integrity across Canada".

    Pictures of this seizure can be found at:
    http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/press/news_e.htm
    or
    http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/press/news_f.htm

For further information: Cpl. Erich HEINS, Toronto East RCMP Detachment,
Customs and Excise Unit, Office: [phone] ext 282, Cell: [phone]