ST. PAUL – A joint investigation by St. Paul RCMP and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Enforcement Unit, spanning several months, has been centered around two St. Paul businesses.
On June 7, RCMP executed two search warrants for contraband tobacco at Fu Lum Chinese Restaurant and Wild West Exchange.
The search of the businesses reportedly resulted in the seizure of 62 illegal cartons of contraband tobacco, 162 grams of cannabis and 66 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms, according to information provided by police.
Fu Lum Chinese Restaurant was charged under Section 4(4) Tobacco Tax Act, for possessing more than 1,000 cigarettes not marked for tax-paid sale. RCMP says that 2,347 contraband cigarettes were seized with a Provincial Tax Avoidance totaling $645.43.
An employee of the Wild West Exchange, who was not identified by police, was also charged with several offences.
These charges include illegal sale of tobacco, possession for the purpose of trafficking drugs, possession of illicit cannabis, distributing illicit cannabis, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, and distributing over 30 grams of cannabis.
Police also note that 8,412 contraband cigarettes and 1,940 contraband cigars were seized, with a total Federal Tax Avoidance of $1,736.04 and a total Provincial Tax Avoidance of $2,848.80.
“This was a great team effort by all involved in this investigation” stated Cpl. Stephen Cunningham with St. Paul RCMP.
“Contraband tobacco takes revenue away from legitimate businesses and also tax revenue. When you buy contraband tobacco, you have no idea where it is manufactured or what they may contain.”
