Mississauga man charged in connection with contraband cigarette operation

 

A Mississauga man is one of two people facing charges for allegedly manufacturing and distributing contraband tobacco, illicit cannabis, cocaine and fentanyl, police say. 

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the recent arrests were made as part of Project Cairnes, a project launched in June 2020 targeting alleged criminal enterprises who were reportedly operating a contraband tobacco manufacturing facility on Six Nations Territory.

Police said 16 individuals have already been arrested and charged with 218 offences after officers allegedly seized 11.5 million contraband cigarettes,1,714 pounds of cannabis, three handguns and associated ammunition, a cocaine press, 1.14 kilograms of cocaine, 10.2 kilograms of Piperidone, 1.3 kilograms of fentanyl, $236,750 in CAD currency and seven vehicles. 

Police said new evidence suggests that two individuals associated with legitimate businesses were contributing to the manufacturing and distribution of the contraband tobacco operation. Police have charged 57-year-old Mississauga man Kalipersad Goberdhan with unlawfully manufacturing a tobacco product without a licence, participating in a criminal organization and more. 

Police also charged 70-year-old Miami man Paul Embury with conspiracy to commit the indictable offence of unlawfully manufacturing a tobacco product without a licence. 

Both of the accused are expected to appear in court on Aug. 10, 2020.

The charges have not yet been proven in court.