Operation Targets Smoke Shack Shoppers

The Ministry of Revenue seized 135,000 illegal cigarettes during an enforcement operation along the Highway 6 corridor between Caledonia and Hagersville that targeted consumers buying illegal cigarettes.

In partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police, 25 vehicles were stopped, illegal tobacco found in the vehicles was seized and the individuals were immediately charged or issued a penalty assessment. The value of the penalty assessments raised by the ministry's Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program was $22,392.

Four individuals stopped were charged by the Special Investigations Branch, due to the larger quantities of illegal cigarettes found in their possession.

The enforcement operation took place on February 25, March 2 and March 4, 2010 and supports new Tobacco Tax Act measures that came into effect June 5, 2009. They include provisions that prohibit the possession of any quantity of unmarked cigarettes, unless otherwise permitted in the legislation.

• Contact Us
• Accessibility
• Privacy
• Help

• Full Site
• Important Notices