Montreal police seize $75,000 worth of shisha tobacco from cafe
A shisha pipe is shown along with other items for smoking. FILE PHOTO - SOURCE: Pexels
Police in Montreal (SPVM) have seized more than 170 kilograms of contraband shisha tobacco in a raid of a cafe in the Saint-Laurent borough.
Police say the value of the tobacco seized on Sept. 13 was worth $75,000, or about $67,000 in unpaid taxes.
"The owner of the establishment on Côte-Vertu Boulevard and three of his employees were arrested during the operation for offences under the Tobacco Tax Act," the SPVM said in a news release, adding that around $12,000 cash and shisha smoking equipment were also confiscated.
Police also handed out tickets totalling $370 to 17 customers in the cafe consuming shisha where it was prohibited.
One also picked up a $2,500 fine for allegedly obstructing a Ministry of Health and Social Services inspector.
"The operator of the establishment was also issued with tickets totalling nearly $11,000 under the Tobacco Control Act," the SPVM said.
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