Four charged in cross-border tobacco smuggling operation

Following a complex investigation, TSOC and CBSA investigators uncovered a smuggling ring which included the extended railway system. The accused are alleged to have illegally transported nearly 116,000 kg of tobacco into Canada from the United States, as well as interprovincially, between October 2020 and April 2024.

On Sep. 21, 2026, the four accused were charged with:

• Conspiracy to smuggle into Canada;
• Conspiracy to transport tobacco;
• Conspiracy to possess raw leaf tobacco; and,
• Conspiracy to evade compliance.

In addition to the above charges, each accused faces additional charges for their respective role in the smuggling operation.

A 48-year-old man, from Toronto, Ont., was charged with:

• Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported (raw leaf tobacco);
• Transporting of tobacco products and raw leaf tobacco;
• Falsifying or destroying records;
• False statements or evasion of duties;
• Smuggle into Canada;
• Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported;
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and,
• Possession of property obtained from offences.

A 47-year-old suspect, from Brampton, Ont., was charged with:

• Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported (raw leaf tobacco);
• Transporting of tobacco products and raw leaf tobacco;
• Falsifying or destroying records;
• Smuggle into Canada;
• Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported; and,
• False statements or evasion of duties.

A 50-year-old suspect, from Caledon East, Ont., was charged with:

• Keeping, acquiring, disposing of goods illegally imported (raw leaf tobacco);
• Transporting of tobacco products and raw leaf tobacco;
• Falsifying or destroying records; and,
• False statements or evasion of duties.

A 49-year-old suspect, from Mississauga, Ont., was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The four accused are scheduled to appear at the Toronto Provincial Court on Oct. 29.

“This investigation demonstrates the critical role of strong partnerships and coordinated efforts in combatting the illegal tobacco trade. These collaborative efforts are essential to identifying and disrupting the networks involved in the importation of illegal tobacco into Canada," said Chief Superintendent Brad Wirachowsky, Acting Regional Commander, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, in a release.

“The dismantling of this sophisticated smuggling operation speaks to the expertise of CBSA intelligence and border officers, and the importance of our partnerships with the RCMP and other collaborating law enforcement organizations. By disrupting this transnational network, the CBSA and its partners are protecting Canada’s economy from smuggling operations that fund organized crime and rob governments of the revenue that supports the programs and services that Canadians depend on," said Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General, Prairie Region, Canada Border Services Agency.

TSOC would like to thank CBSA, the RCMP Federal Policing Central Region, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Chicago High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited Police Service, and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada for their support in this investigation.