Edmonton, Alberta – Police have recovered a large quantity of contraband cigarettes and made arrests following a traffic stop that took place recently in North Edmonton.
On May 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., officers from the EPS Commercial Vehicle Investigations Unit (CVIU) observed two large trucks operating suspiciously around a location near Yellowhead Trail and 85 Street. Police initiated an investigation and conducted a traffic stop on the two trucks where two pallets of contraband cigarettes were located.
During the course of the investigation, officers obtained a search warrant which was later executed at the location near Yellowhead Trail and 85 Street. Seven additional pallets of contraband cigarettes were located. In total, nearly 3 million cigarettes with an approximate street value of $675,000 were recovered.
Majed Shamseddine, 36, and Yonas Weldehaimonot, 34, have each been charged criminally with trafficking contraband tobacco.
CVIU members were involved in a similar seizure in December of 2022 that resulted in the seizure of contraband cigarettes with a street value of $207,500, though these incidents are not related.
Anyone with any information about this or any other crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
Edmonton Police Service
MRU #: 23R039
“Dedicated to Protect, Proud to Serve”
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