A 16-month contraband tobacco investigation has resulted in Criminal Code (CC) charges against five individuals from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including two from Brantford.
In January 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team (CTET) began this intelligence-led investigation into the alleged trafficking of contraband tobacco, including shisha tobacco and contraband cigarettes, by a network of individuals based in the GTA.
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.
