Police in Quebec carried out an operation relating to contraband tobacco and cannabis on February 12 in Yamachiche.

The Sûreté du Québec’s Contraband Investigation Service, in collaboration with the Sûreté du Québec post of the MRC Maskinongé, conducted two searches. This resulted in the seizure of more than 10,500 contraband cigarettes, 95 cannabis plants, more than six kilograms of dried cannabis, and equipment used for growing cannabis. 

Police also seized a vehicle that was used to transport cigarettes.

A 47-year-old man who was allegedly involved in the sale of tobacco, as well as the transport of contraband tobacco and the sale of illicit cannabis, was arrested. He operated in the Yamachiche region.

He could face charges under the Tobacco Tax Act, as well as the Cannabis Act.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Public Security, the ACCES Tabac program (Actions Concertées pour Contrer les Économies Souterraines) is a government initiative set up in 2001 to counter the illegal tobacco trade. Its objective is to promote the integrity of the Quebec tax system, restore order in the tobacco trade sector, increase probity, reduce unfair competition caused by the illegal tobacco trade against legitimate businesses, clean up the industry, and fight against a crime without a complainant.

Also on February 12, police officers from the Sûreté du Québec’s Contraband Investigation Service, in collaboration with the Montreal Police Department, made arrests related to illicit cannabis and hash production and possession in the regions of Mauricie, Estrie, Laurentides, Montreal, and New Brunswick.