In a previous post – Lighting a Cigarette, Loading a Gun – I shared information on the production and sale of contraband cigarettes in Ontario and Quebec. In fact, with over 50 illegal factories across the two provinces, potentially 10,000 illegal cigarettes can be produced every minute.
For those thinking, “So what? I don’t smoke!” – Here’s why we all need to pay attention:
– The size of the illegal tobacco market in Ontario could be equivalent to 3 billion illegal cigarettes (15 million cartons).
– Estimated gross profit from illegal tobacco is $75 million dollars annually.
– The highly profitable sale of illegal cigarettes funds criminal activities, including drug and gun trafficking benefiting approximately 175 organized crime groups and gangs in Canada (nearly half of which are based in central Canada).
– Approximately 1 in 3 cigarettes purchased in Ontario are illegal, compared to an average of 1 in 10 in other provinces.
We’ve used words such as “estimated”, “potentially” and “approximately” because previously, we could only rely on high level summaries from police reports; ones that didn’t provide a wealth of detail.
But then, something changed.
Earlier this year in Montreal, Quebec provincial police, along with several local police forces, the RCMP and American authorities, conducted an international raid targeting contraband tobacco, drug trafficking and money laundering. And the results were staggering. (Source)
The operation, dubbed Project Mygale, involved about 700 police officers who searched 70 businesses and homes in and around Montreal, the Laurentians, Lanaudière, the Montérégie and the Six Nations in Ontario. 60 arrests were made, and officers confiscated:
More than 52,800 kg of tobacco, valued at $13.5 million.
More than $1.5 million in cash from illicit transactions in Canada.
Almost US $3 million in cash.
836 kg of cocaine.
21 kg of methamphetamines.
100 g of fentanyl.
15 kg of cannabis.
And for the first time, law enforcement officials weren’t using estimates or approximations. They had the cold, hard evidence in their hands.
Sadly, even though Project Mygale is considered a win, as long as there is a demand for contraband tobacco, other organized crime groups will fill the void. That’s why we have to continue the conversation; we must continue to put pressure on our governments to ensure that law enforcement organizations have the powers and resources needed to pursue these sorts of investigations.
Here’s what we can do. Learn more about the facts linking organized crime to the sale of illegal tobacco. StopIllegalTobacco.ca is a NCACT website, chock full of useful information (and some pretty startling statistics). Inform yourself, and your neighbours. You can also join the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #StopIllegalTobacco.
This post is sponsored by the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco. I have received compensation for my involvement in this campaign; however, all opinions on this post are strictly my own.
It is such a big problem but one we often don’t think too much about. Project Mygale obviously made a big dent but unfortunately it won’t stop it. Definitely something to get informed about.
Thanks for the information. I honestly didn’t realize this was an issue, thanks for talking about it and educating us
I am not shocked but i should be by these numbers but here in Newfoundland we have illegal products problems all the time,its terrible.
omg wow!! i seriously had no idea how bad it was. Smoker or not definitely everyone needs to be aware of this
I’m glad I quit smoking, I don’t have to worry about finding cheap smokes anymore!!
those are some sobering stats
“Approximately 1 in 3 cigarettes purchased in Ontario are illegal” – that’s crazy. All I keep thinking is all that tax money that we’re not benefiting from!
it’s all about supply and demand and unfortunately there are lots of people who want to save money on products and are willing to purchase black market items.
I hate admitting this but I am a smoker, I wish I wasnt but I will get there eventually. I have seem of Illegal Cigarettes in a bag that smell like dirty socks, so no matter how cheap I would never buy especially now knowing all the repercussions of this..
another reason to support your local small business
Wow, those stats are staggering. And I agree, there is still a lot to do. #StopIllegalTobacco
There are a lot of activities related to criminal organizations and illegal tobacco; including slavery, prostitution, child trafficking, etc. etc. My thing about tobacco is just quit… I know its an addiction, but it’s gross, unhealthy and an expensive habit.
someone who opened the inside of one to see what was in them, said it’s not all tobacco they have cork and other weird things in them.
You want to stop the sale of illegal cigarettes? Lower the price of legal cigarettes!
Definitely a scary thing to think about. I had no idea!
This is serious, criminal organizations and illegal tobacco is not good !
I wish we just just completely ban cigarettes for good! There are no positive uses for it and it harms people and the environment too!
Wow, I had no idea about any of this! Thanks for the eye opening, informative post!