Westlock man charged after RCMP seize $30 million in contraband cigarettes

Alberta RCMP say a months-long investigation led to the seizure of 2,954 master cases of unstamped cigarettes, firearms, vehicles and cash. Omar Saleh, 50, of Westlock faces multiple charges and is due in court Oct. 29.

Alberta RCMP seized 2,954 master cases, or 147,700 cartons, of unstamped contraband cigarettes during a months-long investigation centred on Westlock. Police estimate the cigarettes’ retail value at $30,008,700, representing nearly $10 million in deferred taxes. Omar Saleh, 50, of Westlock has been charged with multiple offences.

The investigation began in January, when Westlock RCMP received information that someone in the area was selling unstamped cigarettes. The information was supported by an unrelated call to police from a person who said they had bought a carton of contraband cigarettes at a Westlock shop called The Boutique, Alberta RCMP said in a media release.

Over several months, an undercover officer, assisted by RCMP K-Division, investigated the business and used surveillance to gather information. Police executed multiple warrants on June 17 and 18, seizing goods and arresting a man, who was released on conditions.

In the following two months, the undercover officer made two more purchases connected to the same suspect. Police said one purchase led to a separate investigation, which resulted in warrants being executed on Aug. 26 in the Morinville and Edmonton areas.

That warrant investigation led police to a storage location on a rural property in Westlock County. Officers searched the property on Sept. 15 and arrested the same suspect again. In addition to the cigarettes, police seized three firearms, two vehicles and $225,045 in Canadian cash.

Saleh faces three counts of careless use of a firearm, as well as charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and illegal sale of tobacco products. He was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court in Westlock on Oct. 29.

The investigation involved Alberta RCMP and RCMP K-Division. Police described the case as a months-long inquiry into the sale of unstamped tobacco products, including undercover purchases and surveillance before warrants were carried out at locations in the Westlock, Morinville and Edmonton areas.

Based on reporting by Edmonton Journal.