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RCMP destroy illegal cigarettes

RCMP have destroyed 6,000 cartons of illegal cigarettes that were shipped to Alberta though New York state.

CALGARY — RCMP have destroyed 6,000 cartons of illegal cigarettes that were shipped to Alberta though New York state.

A shipment of 657,800 contraband cigarettes was discovered in Calgary and another shipment of 150,000 cigarettes was discovered in the Red Deer area.

On Wednesday, the cigarettes were crushed and buried at a landfill site.

Scott Smith, 47, of Sylvan Lake has pleaded guilty to two charges related to possessing unstamped tobacco. He faces fines of $185,000 or up to 4 1/2 years in jail.

Smith just finished serving four months in an Ontario jail after pleading guilty to a similar charge where he was convicted of transporting 3,400 cartons of illegal cigarettes destined for Alberta. After that conviction, his truck and trailer were seized and forfeited to the Crown.

RCMP say such cigarettes are typically bought by smugglers for $4 to $10 a carton.

They’re sold illegally through the Internet or in a bar for up to $40 where a legally purchased carton costs $100.