Calgary police have charged five people with trafficking contraband cigarettes throughout the city’s downtown core.
Investigators say from Sunday, March 31 to Thursday May 16, the District Operations Team (DOT) investigated five people who were believed to be selling contraband cigarettes on 3 Street SE.
During the investigation, the suspects were connected to a storage locker on 10 Avenue SE, and a 2008 Jeep Patriot.
Police were able to search the vehicle, the homes of three of the five suspects, and the storage locker. It was at this time officers found evidence suggesting the operation was also selling contraband cigarettes out of two more storage lockers. Police got warrants for those locations and searched them.
On Thursday, May 16, four men were arrested, and more search warrants were executed on 10 Avenue SE, 9 Avenue SE, and Centre Avenue NE.
During these searches, police found 367 cartons of contraband cigarettes worth more than $55,000, 153 packs of contraband cigarettes worth at least $3,000, brass knuckles, and $3,747 in cash.
The investigation continued to a fifth person, which led to four more searches on 67 Avenue SW, 23 Avenue NE, Centre Avenue SE, and 36 Avenue SE.
Those searches saw the seizures of more contraband cigarettes, worth nearly $80,000, $902 in cash, a BB gun, and methamphetamine.
“Disruption of criminal activity in our downtown is critical to ensuring our public spaces remain enjoyable for all residents and visitors,” said District 1 Insp. Jason Bobrowich. “While some may say cigarettes bring no harm, the trafficking in any contraband or illicit substance attracts additional crime and social disorder. Everyone has the right to enjoy our downtown spaces free from fear of criminal activity.”
Gamal Salim Bulbul, 53, Jason Troy Papequash, 46, Abdelaziz Mohamed Awad, 55, and Mohamed Abdelaziz Awd, 23, all of Calgary, have been charged with one count each of trafficking in contraband tobacco, fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
Abdulsatar Amad Luhar, 46, of Calgary, was also charged with one count of trafficking in contraband tobacco, one count of fraud over $5,000, one count of possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000, and one count of possession of methamphetamine, following additional investigative efforts.