Contraband tobacco, valued at more than $10M, seized from illegal Six Nations operation

Boxes of contraband tobacco found inside a Six Nations facility on June 11, 2026. (Source: OPP)

More than 40,000 kilograms of contraband tobacco have been seized from an illegal manufacturing facility on Six Nations of the Grand River territory, according to Ontario Provincial Police.

OPP said a separate incident involving the Six Nations Police Service prompted an investigation, dubbed Project TRACK, in April 2026.

Search warrants were carried out on June 11 at a home in Hamilton and a large-scale manufacturing facility on Seneca Road, near First Line, as well as a vehicle.

Police found over 40,000 kilograms of fine-cut tobacco and cigarettes, in addition to 300 kilograms of shisha tobacco.

The street value of those products was estimated at more than $10 million, police said.

Officers also recovered a gun, three stolen vehicles, a truck, cellphones, other electronics, $25,000 in cash, packaging material and cigarette-making components, as well as five complete cigarette manufacturing lines used for contraband tobacco production.

OPP said profits were being channelled to an “external criminal enterprise.” No further details were shared about those other illegal activities.

“This operation involved non-Indigenous criminal networks exploiting Indigenous lands, with profits that did not benefit our community,” Chief Darren Montour of the Six Nations Police Service explained in a media release.

While executing the search warrants in Six Nations and Hamilton, police discovered 13 people who they identified as foreign nationals. OPP said the Canada Border Services Agency was helping with that part of the investigation.

Two men from Hamilton were arrested in connection with Project TRACK.

Andrew Besam Hadaddin, 34, and Mustafa Jaber, 45, were both charged with trafficking contraband tobacco, possession of tobacco manufacturing equipment, manufacturing tobacco product without a licence, and unlawful possession or sale of tobacco products.

“This investigation highlights the significant role criminal networks play in the manufacturing and distribution of contraband tobacco in Ontario,” said OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart.

“These illegal operations not only undermine public safety but also exploit communities for profit. Through strong collaboration with our partners, we remain committed to disrupting these networks and holding those responsible accountable.”

The agencies involved in the operation were OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team, Six Nations Police Service, OPP’s Tactics and Rescue Unit, OPP’s Emergency Response Team, OPP’s Aviation Unit, OPP’s Community Street Crime Units, OPP’s Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ontario’s Ministry of Finance and Canada Border Services Agency.