RCMP seized 147,700 cartons of unstamped cigarettes worth about $30,008,705 in a months-long investigation centred on the Westlock area, roughly 70 kilometres north of Edmonton. The cigarettes represent nearly $10 million in deferred taxes. Police also seized three firearms, $225,045 in Canadian cash and two vehicles.

The investigation began in January, when RCMP received reports that someone in the area was selling unstamped cigarettes. The information was corroborated after a carton was seized from someone who said they had bought the cigarettes at a store called The Boutique. An undercover officer then made several purchases from the business over the following months.

On June 17 and 18, officers executed multiple warrants and seized goods. The seller was arrested and released on conditions. During the next two months, the undercover officer made two further purchases connected to the same seller. One prompted a separate investigation, leading to warrants in the Morinville and Edmonton areas in late August.

The other purchase led investigators to a storage location on a rural property in Westlock County. Police searched the property on Sept. 15 and arrested the seller again.

A 50-year-old man from Westlock has been charged with multiple offences, including illegal sale of tobacco products, fraud over $5,000, three counts of careless use of a firearm, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He has since been released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 29.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.