Two Hamilton men are facing multiple charges after police dismantled a massive, multi-million-dollar illegal tobacco operation running out of the Six Nations of the Grand River territory.
A joint investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police and Six Nations Police led to raids at a Hamilton residence and a sophisticated manufacturing facility hidden on the First Nation.
During the searches, officers seized more than 40,000 kilograms of fine-cut tobacco, 300 kilograms of shisha tobacco, and five complete cigarette manufacturing assembly lines.
Investigators also recovered a handgun, $25,000 in cash, and three stolen vehicles, with the total street value of the confiscated goods estimated at well over $10,000,000.
Police allege the sophisticated operation was being controlled by an outside, non-Indigenous organized crime network using First Nations land to shield their activities from law enforcement.
According to authorities, the illicit profits generated by the manufacturing facility were actively being used to fund an outside criminal enterprise.
Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour sharply condemned the illegal network, stating that outside criminals were actively exploiting their territory for profits that brought zero benefit to the local community.
Thirty-four-year-old Andrew Besam Hadaddin and 45-year-old Mustafa Jaber of Hamilton have been arrested and face numerous charges, including manufacturing tobacco products without a licence.
The Canada Border Services Agency has also been called in to assist with the ongoing investigation after police discovered thirteen foreign nationals working inside the illicit manufacturing plant during the raid.
While an OPP spokesperson declined to specify exactly how those foreign nationals are tied to the criminal network, border officials are working to determine their status and involvement.
