December 18, 2013 CONTRABAND TOBACCO SEIZED BY MANITOBA FINANCE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT On Monday, Dec. 16, the Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Investigations Unit and the Winnipeg Police Service stopped a vehicle in the Transcona area of Winnipeg and found 150 cartons of contraband tobacco products in the vehicle. The 46-year-old male driver of the vehicle faces charges under the Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and the Manitoba Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. Subsequent to this stop, a search of a Transcona residential property was conducted and a further 481 cartons of contraband tobacco were found and seized. As a result, a 68-year-old male faces similar charges under the provincial statutes. The investigation into this matter continues. The accused each face fines of $1,000 to $10,000 and/or up to six months in jail. They also are liable to a triple tax penalty of $26,100 in relation to the tobacco found in the vehicle and $83,694 in relation to the tobacco located in the residence. Manitoba stood to lose $36,598 in tax revenues if this tobacco had reached the black market. If anyone has information on contraband tobacco, they are urged to contact: •Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477); •the Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137; •the RCMP Customs and Excise Section in Winnipeg at 204-983-5423 or by e-mail at smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca; or •the local police department. - 30 -