The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has charged two Ottawa men with possession, purchase or selling of illegally imported unstamped Shisha tobacco contrary to section 155 of the Customs Act and section 32 of the Excise Act, 2001 as a result of an investigation. CBSA officers seized 115 cases of shisha tobacco and $67,665 in cash after executing search warrants on May 1.
Leith Al-Rubaie and Ahmad Hussein Qasim were charged on May 1. Al-Rubaie was released on May 2 on terms and conditions, and Qasim was released on a promise to appear. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow.
Quick Facts
- Failure to declare goods and other Customs Act violations may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law.
- CBSA officers may seize goods where there is a Customs Act contravention such as possession, purchase or selling of illegally imported unstamped tobacco (section 155), non-report/smuggling (section 159), misdescription (section 154) and evading duty and taxes (section 153) or the possession, purchase or selling of illegally imported unstamped tobacco (section 32) under the Excise Act, 2001.
- Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.
Quote
“The sale of unstamped tobacco is a crime, and the CBSA works to ensure that individuals who choose to evade the law are prosecuted.”
- Arianne Reza, Regional Director General, Northern Ontario Region
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Contact
Chris Kealey
CBSA Communications
613-991-5197
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