Victoria police seize $515K in contraband cigarettes, cash
Contraband cigarettes seized in Victoria, B.C. (Victoria police)
Victoria police say they've seized a significant number of contraband cigarettes, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in cash, following a lengthy investigation into the sale of the unregulated items.
The investigation began in February, and on April 12, two search warrants were executed at a home in the 2400-block of Chambers Street in Victoria, and at a storage locker in View Royal.
At the two properties, police say they found $65,000 in cash and more than 2,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes.
The estimated value of the seized cigarettes is $450,000, according to VicPD.
Contraband cigarettes lack a stamp on their packaging that proves the company payed provincial and federal taxes.
"Investigators believe contraband tobacco is being sold in Greater Victoria at a fraction of its retail price, which likely has a negative impact on local retail outlets and small businesses," said VicPD in a release Thursday.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the sale of contraband cigarettes is asked to call Victoria police at 250-995-7654, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously online or at 1-800-222-8477.
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