Police seize 175 cartons of contraband tobacco

A 27-year-old man is facing tobacco trafficking charges after police found unstamped cigarettes and cash in his vehicle.

Around 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 10, officers were patrolling the 1400 block of Portage Avenue when they saw a man transferring boxes from a Land Rover into another vehicle.

Officers recognized the boxes as contraband tobacco and also saw a large quantity of cash inside the vehicle. Officers discovered the other involved individual had purchased the unstamped cigarettes.

Officers arrested the suspect and seized 175 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, $3,750 in cash and the vehicle.

The 27-year-old is facing charges of trafficking in contraband tobacco, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possessing more than 25 units of unmarked tobacco under the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act.

He was released on an appearance notice.