WINNIPEG – Officials with Manitoba’s Taxation have arrested 11 individuals and seized 10,412 contraband cigarettes, 19,024 grams of sheesha product containing illegal tobacco, $10,689 in cash and impounded a Manitoba registered vehicle following a recent enforcement blitz.

Officials said in a release “A total of 11 individuals and four businesses were found selling, or in possession of, illegal tobacco products that were not marked for Manitoba tax purposes.” The group now face charges under The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act.

The province stood to lose more than $8,300 in tax revenue if these products had been sold. If convicted, the individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment. In addition, they may face a triple tax penalty.