A weeks-long investigation into the possession/sale of illegal cigarettes has disrupted a criminal enterprise and resulted in charges against the individuals allegedly involved. Two males are facing charges and police have seized more than a million illegal cigarettes. The value of the seizure is estimated to be just over $575,000.
This investigation began in early February and was carried out by the Online/Stolen Property Unit of the Regina Police Service, with assistance from other RPS investigative units, Patrol, and provincial tobacco enforcement members. Search warrants were carried out on an apartment residence, two storage lockers, a motor home and three vehicles. In all, there were just over 133 cases of illegal cigarettes recovered and seized. The value of the estimated 1.1 million cigarettes is over $577,000. On March 17, 2022, two adult males were arrested and charged under the Criminal Code as well as the Province’s Tobacco Act.
Sixty-one year-old Tim J. LOOKER and 44 year-old Mohammad RAMADAN, both of Regina, are charged with:
- Sell Tobacco Products or Raw Leaf Tobacco, section 121.1 CC; and
- Possess, Transport, Sell Unstamped Tobacco, section 11.2 SOPA.
Of note: the penalty under the Tobacco Act is a fine, calculated on the total amount of illegal tobacco. In this case, the fine is estimated to be just over $648,000.
Both accused males were released on conditions and will make their first court appearance on these charges in Provincial Court on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
