Outaouais resident guilty of offenses related to contraband tobacco

Outaouais resident guilty of offenses related to contraband tobacco

Revenu Québec announced this week that an Outaouais resident, Charles Choquette, 70 years old from Gatineau, has been convicted of offenses related to contraband tobacco. He was fined a total of $ 57,823. He was accused of:

– having sold, delivered, transported or had in his possession tobacco intended for retail sale in Quebec and the package of which was not identified in accordance with the Tobacco Tax Act;

– not registered with Revenu Québec or hold any of the permits required by law to carry on commercial activities related to tobacco products.

This conviction stems from an operation carried out in collaboration with the Gatineau Police Department on November 27, 2018. In all, 45,458 cigarettes were seized during the operation, and $ 3,000 was confiscated. A sum of $ 3,000 and a vehicle were also seized during this operation.

Revenu Québec reminds people who carry out commercial activities related to tobacco products that they must hold the permits required by law. In addition, tobacco intended for retail sale in Québec must be identified in the manner and under the conditions prescribed by regulation. Failure to comply with any of these obligations is an offense and may result in a minimum fine of $ 6,000 and a maximum prison term of 2 years. Individuals who purchase contraband tobacco for personal consumption face a minimum fine of $ 350.

Revenu Québec recalled that it is an important player in the government’s fight against economic crime and tax fraud.