Major Tobacco Companies Plead Guilty to Violations Under the Excise Act

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jul 31 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, made the
following statement today concerning an RCMP investigation that has led
to two of Canada's largest tobacco companies - Imperial Tobacco Canada
Limited and Rothmans Benson & Hedges - entering guilty pleas in response
to indictable offences under the Excise Act. The two companies pleaded
guilty to "aiding persons to sell and be in possession of tobacco
manufactured in Canada that was not packaged and was not stamped in
conformity with the Excise Act."

"I would like to commend the RCMP for their intensive investigation that
has successfully culminated in the charges being laid and the entering of
guilty pleas under the Excise Act.

Illicit cigarette sales undermine our economy and have a significant
impact on the safety of our communities and our economy; tobacco
trafficking supports organized crime, which in turn funds other crimes
like drug and gun smuggling.

This is why the government worked diligently with the RCMP to introduce a
Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy. These measures to combat the
growing contraband tobacco market help front-line police officers in
their effort to stem and seize the flow of illicit tobacco-related
products.

This government is determined to tackle crime whether it be a single
individual or a large corporation."

Contacts:
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
Melisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
613-991-2863

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