More than 9.3 million illegal cigarettes, representing an estimated evaded tax value of $4.4 million, were seized as a result of a check-stop conducted at the Langham weigh scale on Highway 16 near Saskatoon on Friday, November 14.
According to an RCMP release, Saskatoon RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) officers were conducting the check-stop.
At approximately 3 a.m., a commercial vehicle entered the check stop and continued along without stopping. An SHP officer followed the commercial vehicle, stopped it a few kilometres west of the check stop and then escorted it back.
At the check stop, SHP officers inspected the trailer of the commercial vehicle and located 24 pallets of unstamped tobacco. SHP officers arrested the driver of the commercial vehicle on site and transported him to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment, with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
Saskatoon RCMP CTSS police officers seized the commercial vehicle, arranged for it to be towed and escorted the vehicle to the Seized Property Management Directorate in Regina for safe storage and further police processing.
The Yorkton RCMP Saskatchewan Trafficking and Response Team (STRT) searched and processed the vehicle. They confirmed 9.3 million illegal cigarettes were seized from the commercial vehicle.
“Based on previous similar investigations in Saskatchewan, and current tax rates under provincial and federal legislations, the estimated total tax being evaded is over $4.4 million,” said Cpl. Aaron Gullacher with the Yorkton RCMP STRT.
“Our government values the strong partnerships between the Saskatchewan RCMP, municipal police services and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol,” said Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C.
“Collaborative enforcement efforts like this check stop plays an essential role in promoting road safety and protecting communities across the province.”
Akashdeep Akashdeep of Brampton, Ontario, is charged with one count of possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of sale under the Criminal Code, one count of possession of unstamped tobacco under the Tobacco Tax Act and one count of of possession of unstamped tobacco under the Excise Act.
Akashdeep, who is 24 years old, appeared in court in Saskatoon on Monday, November 17.
The RCMP provided this daytime aerial view of the check-stop at the Langham weigh scale on November 14.