Group warns Alberta not taking contraband tobacco seriously enough

The illegal tobacco situation in Alberta may be worse than many in the province want to admit.

That’s according to the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT), responding to comments made by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission in a story we did last week.

Gary Grant, NCACT spokesperson, says the province may be losing millions in tax revenue now but if it doesn’t get a handle on it soon, it will become billions.

He adds it’s something organized crime has become involved in, in a big way, and if those groups see Alberta as soft on illegal tobacco, they’ll expand.

Grant points out in the last year, at least one group has tried to set up a tobacco plant in Southern Alberta.

“It’s not always people running down the street with machine guns,” he said. “The RCMP has estimated that there are about 175 organized criminal gangs that are dealing with contraband tobacco in Canada.”

Grant explains most groups like that will also deal in weapons, drugs and human trafficking.

He argues Ontario didn’t heed the warning and now 1 in 3 cigarettes sold in the province is illegal, and the government loses $1.1-billion a year in tax revenue.

When told Calgary Police didn’t want to comment because it’s not something they concentrate on, he pointed out it’s an issue everyone has to tackle adding a provincial task force has been struck in Ontario and Quebec which allows all provincial, federal and municipal police to enforce contraband laws.

“I had almost 40 years with the Toronto Police Service and I’d certainly be concerned with it,” Grant said. “I’d be concerned with any criminal activity going on with my city.”

He admits it may be an issue of jurisdiction but adds if city police don’t have the power to combat the illegal tobacco trade they feel they need, it’s something they should be working with the province to get.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today