Major Tobacco Smuggling Ring Busted In Quebec
- TDS News
- Eastern Canada
- April 12, 2021
Quebec Tobacco smuggling – Fines over $ 1.3 million for ten offenders and two jail sentences
Revenu Québec announces that the ten people mentioned below have been convicted of offenses related to contraband tobacco. They were ordered by the Court of Quebec to pay fines totaling $ 1,341,342.26. Two offenders were also sentenced to prison terms.
These people were notably accused of one or more of the following activities:
- have sold, delivered or had in their possession tobacco intended for retail sale in Quebec and the package of which was not identified in accordance with the Tobacco Tax Act;
- have transported tobacco intended for sale and the package of which was not identified in accordance with the Tobacco Tax Act;
- not be registered with Revenu Québec or hold any of the permits required by law to carry on commercial activities related to tobacco products.
Revenu Québec reminds people who carry out commercial activities related to tobacco products that they must hold the permits required by law. In addition, tobacco intended for retail sale in Québec must be identified in the manner and under the conditions prescribed by regulation.
Failure to comply with any of these obligations constitutes an offense and may result in a minimum fine of $ 6,000 as well as a maximum prison term of 2 years. People who buy contraband tobacco for their personal consumption face a minimum fine of $ 350.
Revenu Québec is a major player in the government’s fight against economic crime and tax fraud. Aware that this is a constant issue, the organization is deploying enormous efforts to counter them.