Calgary police have charged five people in connection with the illegal selling of contraband cigarettes worth roughly $140,000.
The Calgary police investigation began March 31, and went through May 13, with the District Operations Team (DOT) focused in on five people selling cigarettes in the 800 block of 3 Street SE.
During the investigation, officers connected the suspects to a storage locker in the 300 block of 10 Avenue SE and a 2008 Jeep Patriot. After search warrants were executed, CPS found links to two other storage lockers, they said. Those lockers were also searched and four people were arrested.
In that bust, police found 367 cartons of smokes, 153 packs of cigarettes, $3,747 in cash and brass knuckles.
Between May 16 and May 28, police learned of a fifth person they believed was selling from different locations, including a 2012 Jeep Compass. Four search warrants were executed on various locations.
There they found another 341 cartons of contraband cigarettes, 1,837 packs of smokes, $902 in cash, a BB gun and five grams of methamphetamine.
“Disruption of criminal activity in our downtown is critical to ensuring our public spaces remain enjoyable for all residents and visitors,” said District 1 Inspector Jason Bobrowich, in a prepared news release.
“While some may say cigarettes bring no harm, the trafficking in any contraband or illicit substance attracts additional crime and social disorder. Everyone has the right to enjoy our downtown spaces free from fear of criminal activity.”
Gamal Salim Bulbul, 53, Jason Troy Papequash, 46, Abdelaziz Mohamed Awad, 55, and Mohamed Abdelaziz Awd [sic], 23, along with Abdulsatar Amad Luhar, 46, all of Calgary, are facing charges in connection.
