750K contraband cigarettes seized in Vancouver CBSA investigation

The CBSA shared this photo of its seizure. (CBSA)

Border agents in B.C. announced the seizure of more than 750,000 contraband cigarettes Thursday.

The seizure took place Nov. 19, the Canada Border Services Agency said in a news release, noting that the investigation began back in February.

At that time, CBSA criminal investigators began looking into a "cigarette smuggling operation" after intercepting "numerous contraband cigarette shipments" at Vancouver International Airport and the Vancouver International Mail Centre, the agency said.

The investigation ultimately led to the execution of a search warrant at a home in Vancouver last month.

During the search, CBSA officers arrested a 34-year-old resident and seized 3,826 cartons of contraband cigarettes, 4.2 kilograms of illegal cannabis and $51,915 in cash and casino chips, the agency said.

The CBSA did not name the suspect. It said the investigation is ongoing.

A typical carton of cigarettes contains 10 packs of 20 cigarettes each. That means there are 200 cigarettes to a carton and 3,826 cartons is equivalent to 765,200 individual cigarettes.

"The CBSA works hard to intercept contraband at our borders and investigates those who break Canada's laws," said Nina Patel, the agency's regional director general for the Pacific region, in the release.

"The efforts of our officers and investigators have disrupted illegal trade, which harms our communities and local businesses."