News
VicPD seizes over $130,000 in cash and half a million dollars in contraband cigarettes
March 12, 2024 By Victoria Police Service
Mar. 12, 2024, Victoria, B.C. – Last month, officers with the General Investigation Services (GIS) section began an investigation into the sale of contraband tobacco. Officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Esquimalt, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of contraband cigarettes and cash.
On Feb. 22, GIS officers conducting covert surveillance observed the suspect selling cartons and packs of cigarettes in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue. Surveillance continued and the suspect was arrested in the same area on Feb. 24, without incident.
After the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Esquimalt and seized over 3,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes and $130,000 in Canadian currency. The commercial value of the seized cigarettes is estimated to be above $500,000.
This investigation is ongoing and further details are not available at this time.
Print this page
