Tobacco smuggling ring dismantled at Niagara bridges

Police and border officials have dismantled what they are calling a major tobacco smuggling network with ties to Niagara. The Hamilton/Niagara RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency announced this week that a number of people have been arrested in connection with a large contraband tobacco smuggling and trafficking operation allegedly responsible for smuggling in excess of 73 tonnes of un-stamped water pipe tobacco into Canada since 2010.  “Contraband tobacco is a threat to the security and health of Canadian citizens,” said Rick Comerford, CBDA spokesperson.  “People need to be aware that if they purchase contraband tobacco, they are funding criminal activity.”  A joint investigation was launched in 2011 after 1,440 kilograms of tobacco was seized at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in July 2001 followed in October by a seizure of another 1,440 kilograms of tobacco at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge.  As the investigation progressed, police said, a larger smuggling organization was uncovered.