West Shore RCMP seize $1.7M in packs of illegal cigarettes in Langford

West Shore RCMP has set a new internal record for largest seizure of illegal tobacco in a search warrant executed on Monday, December 30th. 

Police raided a residential property located on Langford’s Setchfield Avenue in relation to suspected trafficking of illicit tobacco. 

There, officers seized approximately 17,100 cartons of cigarettes, which is equal to around 171,000 individual packs of cigarettes. 

The estimated retail value of these cigarettes is $1.7 million. 

“This is the largest seizure of illicit tobacco that West Shore RCMP has had to date,” said Todd Preston, Superintendent in Charge of West Shore RCMP. 

“The illicit tobacco trade often utilizes the same drug pipelines that are set up by organized crime groups therefore contributing to the growth of organized crime. I commend the efforts of our Drugs and Organized Crime Unit in taking a multifaceted approach to targeting organized crime in the West Shore.”

Police say that the sale of illegally trafficked tobacco can help fund organized crime groups while also being detrimental to the economy through lost tax revenue that would otherwise go towards supporting government-funded initiatives.

West Shore RCMP says this is still an ongoing investigation and no arrests or charges have been laid at this time. 

Charges and various fines are anticipated once the investigation is complete.