There were two RCMP busts involving illegal tobacco in southeast Saskatchewan a few days before Christmas.

The first one on December 20th led to the seizure of 6.6 million illegal cigarettes and 28,800 illegal cigars following a late morning commercial vehicle and trailer inspection at Whitewood.

“The investigation determined that the cigarettes originated in Ontario and were destined for the Edmonton area,” said Staff Sergeant Chad McLeod from Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan. “The keen observations of the officer in this investigation resulted in a significant quantity of unstamped tobacco being removed from our highways.”

Sixty-four year old Matthew Peter Wright from Edmonton is facing a variety of charges and will make his first court appearance February 15 in Broadview.

Only two days later on December 22nd, a patrolling RCMP officer stopped a westbound vehicle at Moosomin.
A man and a woman from Calgary have been charged with possession of unmarked tobacco, one ounce of cocaine and a large sum of bundled Canadian currency. Forty-five year old Elroy Wilson Brooks and 37-year-old Kattie Jane Hagan will appear in court on February 21 in Moosomin.