FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 Report

A two-month investigation by police led to a raid last Wednesday on a Vaudreuil-Dorion convenience store on Valois Street and an apartment upstairs from the business, resulting in the seizure of nearly $200,000 worth of contraband cigarettes and tobacco products.

The raid was led by the Sûreté du Québec’s anti-contraband unit, and involved officers from the SQ detachment in Vaudreuil-Dorion, as well as members of the RCMP from the Valleyfield detachment.

According to the SQ, the investigation began last November when officers from the Vaudreuil-Soulanges detachment received a tip that the convenience store, located at 360 Valois Street, was involved in illegal contraband tobacco sales and distribution.

Last Wednesday afternoon, officers moved in and seized more than 1,000 contraband cigarettes, 5,400 electronic cigarettes and more than 11,000 vaping cartridges, as well as an assortment of tobacco products.

“We’re waiting for the investigators to get back to us, but we’re talking about contraband tobacco and the sale of vaporizers, possibly to minors,” said SQ spokesperson Valérie Beauchamp. She said two individuals have been arrested and will face a litany of charges.