Mounties seize 27 tonnes of illegal cigarettes in B.C.

Federal investigators have seized a record-setting 27 tonnes of contraband cigarettes in British Columbia and dismantled the criminal networks involved in the distribution of illicit tobacco, according to the RCMP.

Federal investigators have seized a record-setting 27 tonnes of contraband cigarettes in British Columbia and dismantled the criminal networks involved in the distribution of illicit tobacco, according to the RCMP.

Mounties are scheduled to provide full details of the seizures Friday alongside B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.

Assistant commissioner David Teboul of the RCMP's federal policing program is expected to showcase the results of the force's latest actions against organized crime groups that traffic in contraband cigarettes.

The reported seizures follow an announcement last month that B.C.'s anti-gang task force, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, had arrested four people and seized 35 pallets of contraband cigarettes.

The investigation involved searches of properties in Surrey, Victoria, Abbotsford and Langley, where contraband liquor, guns, drugs, eight vehicles and a speedboat were also seized.

The CFSEU estimated the retail value of the earlier cigarette seizure at approximately $11 million.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.