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By rdnewsNOW staff

One Man Charged

$602,000 of contraband tobacco seized in Red Deer

Jul 24, 2025 | 4:39 PM

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis’s (AGLC) Tobacco Enforcement Unit (TEU), with support from the Red Deer RCMP, has seized illegal cigarettes worth approximately $602,000 from a home in Red Deer.

After a month-long investigation, officials say officers confiscated more than 3,400 cartons, representing over $207,000 in avoided provincial taxes. AGLC says authorities charged Ali Abdulhseen Al-Hameedawi of Red Deer with possessing and selling unstamped tobacco and committing fraud over $5,000.

The organization warns that illegally manufactured contraband products pose public health and safety risks as they lack regulatory controls and inspections oversight. AGLC and its partners say they are committed to a coordinated contraband tobacco enforcement program in Alberta to crack down on groups and individuals engaged in illegal activities.   

In the last year, AGLC’s TEU led more than 255 investigations, resulting in the seizure of over 237,000 cartons equaling an estimated retail value of over $40 million in contraband tobacco taken off Alberta’s streets.

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• is any tobacco product that does not comply with federal and provincial laws related to importation, marking, manufacturing, stamping and payment of duties and taxes; 
• comes from four main sources: illegal manufacturers, counterfeits, tax-exempt diversions and resale of stolen legal tobacco; and 
• can be recognized by the absence of a red (Alberta) or peach/light tan (Canada) stamp bearing the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” on packages of cigarettes and cigars or pouches of tobacco.  

Albertans who suspect illegal tobacco production, packaging and/or trafficking are encouraged to contact AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at 1-800-577-2522. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). 

Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, AGLC says it enforces the Tobacco Tax Act and conducts criminal investigations related to the possession, distribution and trafficking of contraband tobacco products. In 2023-24, AGLC says provincial revenue from tobacco taxes was approximately $439 million. 

For more information on contraband tobacco in Alberta, visit aglc.ca/contraband-tobacco.