Illegal Tobacco Manufacturing Network Dismantled and 7 Charged

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Greater Toronto Area Customs and Excise Section along with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Ontario Ministry of Finance (MOF) have disrupted an alleged illegal tobacco manufacturing network.

On March 23, 2012, the RCMP, assisted by CBSA and MOF, executed a search warrant on a warehouse in Mississauga belonging to Jel Packaging Ltd.  As a result of the search, seven tractor-trailer loads of cigarette producing materials including two cigarette manufacturing machines and tobacco manufacturing equipment, some raw-leaf tobacco, and close to $50,000 were seized under the Excise Act, 2001.

On April 23, 2012, charges were laid against; Minh Hiep (Peter) LE (54 years old), Li DING (42 years old), Hui JIN (52 years old), Thi Toan NGUYEN (53 years old), Joseph Minh Phi LE (24 years old), Dac Dung HO (48 years old) and Qian KONG (44 years old).  Each was charged with eight offences under the Excise Act, 2001, one offence under the Copyright Act and 2 offences under the Criminal Code. 

First appearance for all individuals is scheduled for 0900hrs on May 31, 2012 at the Brampton Courthouse.

"This is a significant seizure that will no doubt have a considerable impact on the supply of illegal tobacco products throughout Ontario", stated Inspector Greg JOHNSON, Officer in Charge of the RCMP GTA Customs and Excise Section.

"I would like to congratulate the officers involved in this investigation," said Goran Vragovic, Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region, Canada Border Services Agency. "This is another great example of how working with our law enforcement partners we can combat the distribution of illegal goods in our community."

The public is reminded that, the sale of illegal tobacco products benefits criminal organizations that often use their profits to finance other criminal activities. For additional information on the harm that illegal tobacco products impose on our society please visit:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/tobac-tabac/tobacco-tabac-broch-eng.htm

Photos related to this investigation may be viewed by visiting the following link and clicking on the associated news release:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/news-nouvelles/index-eng.htm

If you have information about the sale and distribution of illegal tobacco products please contact your nearest RCMP Detachment at 1-800-387-0020 or you can anonymously supply information through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For further information:

Cpl Mark Du PUY
GTA C&E Milton RCMP Detachment
Cell : 905-299-2195      
 
GTA Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
905-803-2800