Burnaby, BC – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has made a major seizure of contraband tobacco, uncovering nearly four million illegal cigarettes hidden inside a shipping container at the Burnaby Container Examination Facility.
On September 15, border officers examined a shipment arriving from China that had been declared as electric fans. Acting on intelligence shared by law enforcement partners in the United States and China, the CBSA referred the container for inspection.
Upon examination, officers discovered 216 boxes containing 19,982 cartons of cigarettes, valued at approximately $2.2 million. The total duties and taxes evaded are estimated at $2.5 million.
The CBSA stated that the illegal tobacco trade poses serious threats to the Canadian economy and public safety. “Profits from illicit tobacco often help fund organized crime activities, including human trafficking, firearms, and drug smuggling,” the agency said in a release.
The seizure highlights the CBSA’s ongoing efforts to intercept smuggling attempts, disrupt organized crime networks, and protect Canada’s borders.
All individuals involved in the illegal shipment are subject to sanctions and legal proceedings as the investigation continues.
This operation underscores the success of international intelligence sharing and the CBSA’s commitment to keeping contraband goods out of Canadian communities.