Illegal tobacco sales are growing in northwestern Ontario.
A study by the Ontario Convenience Stores Association states that contraband tobacco sales now account for over 60% of all cigarettes sold in the region.
Chief Executive Officer Dave Bryans says the practice is growing because police don’t have the resources to stem the trade.
Bryans says the RCMP report that there’s more than 200 organized gangs involved, with the money being used to fuel other illegal activities and even ISIS.
He notes the Provincial Police only have a task force of four trying to tackle what he calls a growing problem.
Bryans adds that every time the government raises tobacco taxes, more and more individuals turn to the illegal trade.
