Joint Ontario-Quebec police operation seize $9.4 million in contraband tobacco

Quebec and Ontario police seized millions of dollars worth of contraband tobacco in April, 2026. (Pexels.

A joint police force in Montreal says it dismantled a major criminal organization that was involved in importing and distributing contraband tobacco worth almost over $9.4 million.

The Montreal police (SPVM), along with Quebec provincial police (SQ) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), say the operation was run out of Ontario and involved shisha tobacco, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes originating in the United States and entering Canada by land, via the southern part of the province of Ontario.

The operation, police say, also involved sourcing cigarettes from the Six Nations and Kahnawake communities.

“The contraband goods were then temporarily stored before being distributed to several retail outlets across Ontario and Quebec, notably in Laval and Montreal,” the SPVM said in its news release.

“Project Cyclone” raids took place on April 15 and 22 and involved 27 searches in Mississauga, Toronto, London and Ottawa.

The following was seized:

• 13,614 kg of shisha tobacco, worth approximately $7 million;
• 22,100 cartons of cigarettes, worth approximately $2.2 million;
• 352 kg of chewing tobacco, worth approximately $230,000;
• 7,182 e-cigarettes of various brands;
• Nearly $272,000 in Canadian cash;
• Luxury accessories (watches, jewellery, etc.).

Police say there are several suspects, and charges are expected soon.