A Red Deer man is facing charges after Mounties seized over a million illegal cigarettes, thousands of dollars in cash, a stolen vehicle, and cannabis contraband following an extensive investigation this summer.
On Aug. 27, Red Deer RCMP’s GIS drug team executed search warrants at three properties in Red Deer, Lacombe County, and Morningside, Alberta.
Police say a two-month investigation revealed a wholesale supplier of contraband tobacco products was operating out of Red Deer, distributing to numerous locations throughout Alberta.
Search warrants were executed on three properties associated with the suspect, with the assistance of Red Deer RCMP’s Property/Intel team and Ponoka RCMP.
At the three locations, RCMP seized 1.35 million illegal cigarettes, approximately $14,000 in cash, a stolen Dodge Challenger, and contraband cannabis products. The retail value of the seized cigarettes was said to be over $1 million.
As a result of the investigation, Chrys Tremblay, 43, of Red Deer faces five charges, including selling unstamped (contraband) tobacco, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, selling unstamped tobacco products under the Excise Act, and possession for the purpose of trafficking cannabis products.
Tremblay was released and is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court Nov. 4.
