Manitoba Nabs Criminals

November 29, 2011

MANITOBA FINANCE SEIZES CONTRABAND CIGARETTES FROM DAKOTA CHUNDEE

SMOKE SHOP

Manitoba Finance reports that yesterday its Special Investigations Unit seized approximately 54 cartons or 10,800 contraband cigarettes in the Pipestone area.
Forty-eight cartons of cigarettes, which did not have Manitoba Tax markings or stamps and therefore are not legal to sell or possess in Manitoba, were seized from the Dakota Chundee Smoke Shop and a further six cartons of contraband cigarettes were also seized from two individuals leaving the premises.
The RCMP, who were already on site investigating an unrelated complaint, were asked to remain present to ensure the peace was kept. 
Investigation of this matter continues and charges are pending against those alleged to have sold the cigarettes.
On Nov. 15, Manitoba Finance’s Special Investigations Unit, with the assistance from the RCMP, seized approximately 89,550 contraband cigarettes from the same location.  The investigation of that seizure continues and charges are also pending in that incident.
The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act prohibit the possession and the sale of cigarettes in the province that are not marked or stamped for sale in Manitoba.
Not only can a business or individual be charged for selling unmarked contraband tobacco, it is also an offence to possess such tobacco.  People purchasing and possessing contraband cigarettes can face charges under the Tobacco Tax Act and fines between $500 and $5,000, with an additional tax penalty of triple the outstanding taxes.
If anyone has information on contraband tobacco, they are urged to contact their local police, the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137 or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

- 30 -

Crimminals may run but they can't hide - the net is closing

May 13, 2011

BORDERS NOT A BARRIER TO PURSUING CRIMINAL PROPERTY FORFEITURE: SWAN

Seven provinces have signed an agreement to share information in cases where the civil forfeiture of the proceeds of crime is being pursued, Attorney General Andrew Swan announced today.
“Provinces need to work across borders to stop criminals from their misdeeds,” said Swan.  “Manitoba is proud to lead this initiative to share information with other jurisdictions and, in turn, we will benefit from having access to what other provinces may know about the cases we pursue.”
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have provincial civil forfeiture legislation and all are signatories to this agreement.
The detailed agreement sets out the process for jurisdictions to share records as well as personal and other information that could assist in civil forfeiture cases.  The agreement recognizes the need to respect each province’s privacy obligations, said Swan.
Details of civil property forfeiture laws vary from province to province but, essentially, such legislation allows for civil court orders that can require proceeds from unlawful acts, property bought with those proceeds and property used as instruments of unlawful activity to be forfeited to the government.                                                                                                           
In Manitoba, a total of $1.4 million in assets has been successfully forfeited to the province.  More actions are in process, with 48 statements of claim involving cash, 10 vehicles and approximately 32 houses currently before the courts.
“Information is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to combating organized crime,” Swan added.  “This agreement strengthens and builds on the provinces’ joint efforts to make our communities safer through better collaboration and information sharing.”

- 30 -

Gun Totting Student in Nelson Collegiate Winnipeg

I'm sure many parents are skittish about their children in our institutions of learning which have in the recent past become dangerous places for our children. Hearing that a student has been caught with a gun in school is outrageous to say the least. I think Canada and the West have to wake up to protecting youths. Youths are far more intelligent than their parents were at their age, yet we treat them with kid gloves looking for ways to excuse their behaviours.

We need to take a haqrd look at what students are up to. I think it may be time to bring back dress codes in school and make schools more disciplined places where students go to learn and not just hang out. The teaching staff sometimes fear to take any action for fear of being mistreated by parents or being fired for standing up for something. That needs to change.

When children or adults break the law they should not be given a free break. They should be made to pay for it with a penalty that fits the crime. Whatever the penalty is, the taxpayer should not be paying for it. These criminals should work for their upkeep, not just sit in jail and watch TV or build big muscles with mindless exercise. Let them do hard labour.