Over 26,000 illegal cigarettes seized by police in ByWard Market
Posted Sep 3, 2025 01:02:59 PM.
Last Updated Sep 3, 2025 01:03:07 PM.
Ottawa police are continuing to have an extra presence in the ByWard Market and were able to intercept thousands of illegal cigarettes.
Officials said that partners were out over the long weekend as part of the community safety initiatives. Officers were able to conduct proactive enforcement of several laws including for cigarettes.
It was around 1:00 p.m. on Aug. 30 when the team saw several people near George and Dalhousie streets in camping chairs, openly selling cigarettes by cartons and packs to multiple people. Under the Tobacco Tax Act (unless otherwise authorized), it is illegal to buy, possess, sell or distribute any amount of untaxed cigarettes or other tobacco products.
Police approached the group and seized a total of 114 cartons and 197 packs of cigarettes, equivalent to 26,740 cigarettes. A follow-up investigation is being conducted by the Ministry of Finance, police said in the release.
The seizure is part of the force’s ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal tobacco trade, which the provincial government says undermines efforts to reduce smoking rates and protect children, among other things.
On top of this incident, officers also conducted several other enforcement tactics between Aug. 29 and 30, including a few arrests.
- 49 alcohol interventions
- 22 By-law infractions
- 21 business safety inspections
- 12 traffic stops
- Seven Provincial Offence Notices (PON)
- Three arrests
The initiative targets disorderly behaviour, criminal activity and aggressive panhandling, which “can negatively affect the experience for residents, businesses, and visitors.”
