Four Hamiltonians arrested in tobacco sting

The Hamilton-Niagara RCMP detachment along with other law enforcement agencies have dismantled a tobacco smuggling and trafficking ring.

They believe the ring was responsible for smuggling more than 73 tonnes of unstamped water pipe tobacco into Canada since 2010. Police launched an investigation in 2011, and quickly learned that a larger organization was involved in the smuggling outside the Hamilton area.

Police say they used a number of methods to hide the products, and it is believed the smuggling resulted in millions of dollars in unpaid duties and taxes. A total of nine people have been charged, including four from Hamilton:

• Salti Kafouf (66), Hamilton
• Layla Kafouf (63), Hamilton
• Mariam Kafouf (34), Hamilton
• Marleen Kafouf (26), Hamilton
• Sameer Kfouf (49), Downsview, ON
• Dina Bakhit (39), Downsview, ON
• Houda Bakhit (64), Downsview, ON
• Nashwan Namrood (54) Aurora, ON
• Walid Bakhit (34), Calgary, Alberta

Photos: RCMP