Province Targets Assets in Major Contraband Tobacco Investigation
British Columbia's civil forfeiture office has launched a significant legal action aiming to confiscate and sell a house in Coquitlam, a luxury condominium in Burnaby, two high-end SUVs, and more than $1 million in cash. This lawsuit stems from an undercover police operation where officers purchased illegal, untaxed cigarettes at a corner store in New Westminster.
Defendants and Previous Conviction
The lawsuit, filed in the B.C. Supreme Court, names Mazar and Amal Raisi, a married couple who operated No. 8 Grocery on 8th Avenue, as defendants. Court documents reveal that Mazar Raisi has a prior conviction from 2011 for possessing over 10 kilograms of tobacco and unstamped tobacco products, resulting in a $20,000 fine. This history underscores the ongoing nature of the alleged illegal activities.
Police Investigation and Seizures
In 2024, New Westminster police initiated an investigation based on a tip about illegal tobacco sales at No. 8 Grocery. Undercover officers made purchases in March and July 2025, leading to a warrant search of the Raisi's Coquitlam home in July 2025. During this raid, police discovered:
- $982,747 in Canadian cash and over $3,000 in U.S. currency, bundled in a manner inconsistent with standard banking practices, suggesting potential money laundering.
- 478 cartons and 97 bags of loose unstamped cigarettes, indicating unpaid taxes.
- Records described as "score sheets" detailing transactions.
- A Rolex watch, keys to two safety deposit boxes, and mail bearing Mazar Raisi's name.
Simultaneously, at the store, authorities seized more than $3,400, 158 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, and additional loose cigarettes. The vehicles involved—a Jaguar and a Ford SUV—were found to contain over 500 cartons and 50 bags of loose, unstamped cigarettes, bringing the total seizure to 1,123 cartons. The lawsuit alleges these assets were used to store and transport illegal products.
Properties Under Scrutiny
The assets targeted for forfeiture include substantial real estate holdings. The couple purchased the Westwood Plateau home in Coquitlam in 2018 for approximately $2 million. Additionally, they acquired a condominium on the 48th floor of an Amazing Brentwood tower in Burnaby in 2021; this 921-square-foot, two-bedroom unit was listed for sale last month at $978,000. Both properties have existing mortgages, according to court filings.
Legal Allegations and Implications
The province's lawsuit asserts that the properties, vehicles, and cash are "proceeds and instruments of unlawful activity," specifically tied to the sale of contraband tobacco. This case highlights the rigorous enforcement of tobacco tax laws and civil forfeiture measures in British Columbia, aimed at disrupting illegal operations and recovering assets derived from criminal enterprises. The outcome could set a precedent for similar actions against illicit trade networks in the region.
