Over $3M in illegal tobacco, nicotine seized at Niagara borders in August

Over $3 million in illegal tobacco and nicotine products were seized at Niagara border crossings last month by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

In total, CBSA officers at land ports of entry across the Southern Ontario Region recovered over $13.8 million worth of illegal tobacco and nicotine during the month of August.

The majority of the seizures involved significant quantities in commercial shipments from the United States.

On Aug. 2, CBSA officers seized 7,658 kg of nicotine and tobacco products, valued slightly over $2.7 million at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, which crosses the Niagara Gorge just south of the Niagara Escarpment, linking the U.S. and Canada.

On Aug. 6, they recovered 3,000 kg of waterpipe tobacco, valued at $299,820 at the Peace Bridge, connecting Buffalo, New York in the U.S. to Fort Erie in Canada.

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CBSA officers also seized large amounts of illegal tobacco and nicotine products at the Blue Water Bridge and the Ambassador Bridge.

On Aug.11, border services officers at the Blue Water Bridge seized 2,796 kg of nicotine pouches, valued at nearly $3 million.

On Aug. 14, they seized 15,222 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, valued around $2.8 million at the same bridge.

CBSA officers seized 1,781,000 cigarettes, valued at $333,189 on Aug. 17 at the Ambassador Bridge.

Officers at the Blue Water Bridge seized 14,964 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, valued at around $2.7 million Aug. 20.

Since Jan. 1, CBSA officers in the Southern Ontario Region have recovered over $52.2 million in tobacco and nicotine products.

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