Illegal Tobacco & Firearms – Arrests: C24-299060

Released: December 24, 2024 at 11:57 a.m.

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Illegal Tobacco & Firearms – Arrests: C24-299060

In December, 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Property Crime Unit and Guns & Gangs Unit, with the assistance of the Major Crimes Unit entered into an investigation regarding contraband cigarettes and firearms destined to Winnipeg from Ontario.

As the result of this investigation approximately 3 million illegal cigarettes were seized with an estimated street value of 1.2 million dollars and five people were arrested. 

On December 23, suspects related to this investigation were located at a hotel in the 1400 block of Niakwa Road East where two males were taken into custody.

Three subsequent search warrants were executed on a moving truck, a motorhome and an SUV that were located in the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Niakwa. It was determined the vehicles had driven from Ontario to Winnipeg. Three additional males associated to the vehicles were taken into custody. The following items were located:

  • Approximately 4,000,000 contraband cigarettes
  • 2 firearms and ammunition (a 12-gauge shotgun and a .308 rifle)
  • 2 pellet guns
  • Body armour
  • 2-way radios
  • Cell phones

The Province of Manitoba Taxation Special Investigation Unit was consulted in relation to the Retails Sales Tax and Tobacco Tax Act.  

A 27-year-old male, Farhan NABIL, from Kitchener, Ontario

A 30-year-old male, Cengizhan SOYDEMIR from Toronto, Ontario

A 30-year-old male, Uzay BILGIN, from Ontario

were charged with the following offences and released on Undertakings:

  • Trafficking in Contraband Tobacco
  • Possession of Tobacco (Tobacco Tax Act)
  • Use of Firearm During Commission of an Indictable Offence
  • Possess body armour without a valid permit

A 20-year-old male from Guelph, Ontario and a 24-year-old male from Brampton, Ontario are facing charges for:

  • Trafficking in Contraband Tobacco
  • Possession of Tobacco (Tobacco Tax Act).

They were released on Undertakings.

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