In a significant blow to the illegal tobacco trade, Lloydminster RCMP have intercepted a massive shipment of contraband cigarettes valued at approximately $7.65 million during what began as a routine traffic stop.
The Traffic Stop That Uncovered Millions
The investigation began on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, when RCMP officers conducted a traffic stop on a semi-truck traveling through Lloydminster. The vehicle was stopped on 44 Street in the border community that straddles Alberta and Saskatchewan.
During the initial interaction, the driver of the commercial vehicle was unable to produce required documentation for the load he was transporting. This missing paperwork raised immediate suspicions among the attending officers, prompting them to seek further authorization to inspect the trailer's contents.
Massive Contraband Discovery
After obtaining a proper search warrant, police conducted a thorough inspection of the truck and trailer. What they uncovered represented one of the largest illegal tobacco seizures in provincial recent history.
The trailer contained 8.8 million unstamped cigarettes with an estimated street value of $7.65 million. The absence of proper tax stamps indicated the tobacco products were intended for the illegal market, bypassing provincial taxes and regulations.
Following the discovery, RCMP seized the semi-truck, trailer, and all illegal contents as evidence in their ongoing investigation.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The driver has been identified as 33-year-old Gurjant Singh from Surrey, British Columbia. He now faces multiple serious charges including:
- Fraud
- Unlawful possession of tobacco
- Importing tobacco into Alberta
- Possession of property obtained by crime
Singh was released with conditions and is scheduled to make his first court appearance at Lloydminster court on December 16, 2025.
Sergeant Christopher Byford of the Lloydminster RCMP emphasized the significance of this seizure in a statement to media. "This seizure represents a significant disruption to the illegal tobacco trade," Byford stated. "Contraband tobacco operations undermine legitimate businesses and are often linked to organized crime. Lloydminster RCMP continue to work closely with provincial and federal partners to combat contraband trafficking and any criminal activity."
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the sophisticated smuggling operation and are appealing to the public for additional information. Anyone with knowledge about this incident or related criminal activity is encouraged to contact Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
The successful interception demonstrates RCMP's ongoing commitment to combating organized crime networks that profit from illegal tobacco operations while depriving provincial governments of legitimate tax revenue.
