On February 12, 2026, a joint police operation in Cornwall, Ontario, led to the seizure of more than $330,000 worth of illegal nicotine pouches and cigars. Officers stopped the shipment at the border as part of a larger effort to crack down on products brought into the country without proper taxes or permits.
The Canada Border Services Agency led the investigation alongside the Cornwall Regional Task Force and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service. During the search, officers found 7,160 tins of nicotine pouches and 945 boxes of Blackwood Cigars. Kyden Jacobs, 21, and Sakyah Diabo, 19, were arrested and face several charges for smuggling and possession of tobacco that did not have required duty stamps.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the movement of illegal tobacco threatens community safety and helps fund organized crime. Both individuals have been released from custody and are expected to appear in court on March 26, 2026. Police also seized the vehicle that was used to transport the illegal items.
This incident is part of a pattern of smuggling in the region, where authorities seized over $1 million in illegal goods throughout 2025. The federal government is currently spending $1.3 billion to strengthen border security and keep communities safe. In the past year, border officers in Ontario have taken away more than 6,400 prohibited items, including nearly 500 firearms.
