The Saskatchewan RCMP have seized over 2.8 million illicit cigarettes following a 17 month-long interprovincial investigation by the organized crime unit.
With the assistance of federal, provincial, and municipal agencies in British Columbia., Quebec and Saskatchewan, RCMP discovered that illicit cannabis products from B.C. were being bought by Saskatchewan residents and then exchanged for illicit tobacco products from Quebec.
As a result of the investigation, RCMP conducted a large seizure of products and cash, including 69.3 pounds of cannabis, 5,152 grams of shatter, 2,856,500 tobacco cigarettes and $573,735 in Canadian currency.
RCMP used intelligence-based policing to conduct the investigation, including searches of over 50 businesses, residences and vehicles for evidence.
A total of 64 charges have been issued against nine individuals, with offences including Criminal Code conspiracy offences, Cannabis Act offences, Excise Act offences.
The suspects are also facing charges of Proceeds of Crime offences, including possessing property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking property obtained by crime.
Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the investigation and one has been issued a summons.
The following people have been charged:
- Dustin Zimmerman of Pense, Sask., 35;
- Jaroslaw Kanigowski of Vancouver, B.C., 35;
- Joseph Johnson of Yale, B.C., 39;
- Justin Matychuk of Regina, Sask., 36;
- Sara Cheeseman of Regina, 31;
- Kyle Loubier of Regina, 32;
- Louis Sebastian of Regina, 37;
- Alicia Roberts of Regina, 34;
- David Wilson of Regina, 36.
The accused will make their first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
