Large seizure of contraband tobacco, firearms at Dakota Plains First Nation

Details

Published on Thursday, January 30, 2014

myWestman.ca

The police announced on Thursday a large seizure of contraband tobacco and firearms as well as several arrests that were made at Dakota Plains First Nation, southwest of Portage la Prairie on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Police arrested Matthew Audi, 26, and Christopher Wilkins, 30, both of Quebec, after they had made a delivery of contraband tobacco to a smoke shop at Dakota Plains. The owner of the shop, Craig Blacksmith, 51, was arrested shortly after.

A search warrant was executed, and during the search of the property, 4,800 cartons of cigarettes were seized as well as three firearms. The lone employee of the shop, Tammy Walters, 42, was also arrested. During the search, police became aware of a rental locker paid for by Blacksmith. When that was searched, further seizures were made, including two cases of tobacco and three more firearms.

In total, 951,225 cigarettes were seized, 1845 tins of chew, six firearms, cash and one vehicle. If convicted of the provincial offences, each accused can face a tax penalty of triple the amount avoided, amounting to $877,718.04.

Audi, Wilkins, Walters and Blacksmith all faces several charges and will appear in court in Winnipeg on May 12. All four have been released on a promise to appear in court.

If you have any information on contraband tobacco, you are urged to contact your local police department or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

With files from RCMP release