From: Edmonton Sun
By Tony Blais, Edmonton Sun
Huge seizure of contraband products in recent tobacco busts May 12, 2014. More than 1,600 kg of contraband waterpipe tobacco (shisha) and more than 400,000 contraband cigarettes, with a potential value of over $600,000 in lost tax revenue to the province, were seized in Edmonton by the AGLC. The contraband products were found as a result of search warrants on two Edmonton area locations and vehicles this past March. Imad Assi and Ahmed Morsy Elshebiny have been charged with several violations, including Criminal Code charges for fraud over $5,000 as well as charges under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possesion of more than 1,000 grams of tobacco, and unlawful sale of tobacco products. Both are scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on May 15, 2014. Photo Courtesy/Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
An Edmonton businessman busted with more than a million grams of water-pipe shisha tobacco was fined $20,000 Wednesday for selling contraband tobacco products.
Provincial Court Judge John Henderson ruled that Ahmed Morsy Elshebiny, 60, was a participant in a large commercial operation involving the unauthorized importation and distribution of contraband shisha tobacco.
Henderson also ruled it was aggravating that it was a “sophisticated” operation with a large quantity of tobacco and Elshebiny has committed the same offence before.
