$2.3 Million Tobacco Bust
Source: OPP
Date: Mon Jun 9 10:48:28 MST 2025
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, CTET executed three search warrants in the GTA, which led to the seizure of more than 800 kg of shisha tobacco, more than 16,000 contraband cigarettes and $30,000 in Canadian currency. The tobacco seized has an estimated street value of more than $90,000.
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, 16 search warrants were executed in Brantford, Burlington, Mississauga, Vaughan and Scarborough by members from:
OPP CTET
OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team
Brant County OPP Community Street Crime Unit
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Ontario Ministry of Finance (MOF)
The search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 19,000 kg of contraband tobacco, valued at $2.3 million, as well as electronic devices.
In November 2024, Ali MALLAH, age 58 of Toronto, was arrested and charged with trafficking contraband tobacco, contrary to s. 121.1(1) of the CC.
In April 2025, following a thorough investigation, four additional individuals were arrested and charged with trafficking contraband tobacco:
Omar OMRAN, age 25 of Scarborough
Nael ALWARASANEH, age 36 of Burlington
Abdelrahman HASAN, age 28 of Brantford
Saif HASAN, age 20 of Brantford
The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Monday, June 9, 2025.