Montana First Nation asks Back for Seized Cigarette Consignment

It was last week on the 7th of January, when the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (ALGC), along with the Hobbema RCMP seized 75,000 cartons of cigarettes from the Montana First Nation. It was stated by the two that the sale of cigarettes was not marked properly in Alberta and was in violation of the Tobacco Tax Act of Alberta.

According to the information available, seized products were valued around $3-million in tax revenue. The operation was carried out in Quonset, Montana First Nation.

However, in response to the seizure, Chady Moustarah, the legal representative of Carolyn Buffalo, the Chief of Montana First Nation said that the consignment was not illegal, as the place where the operation took place did not fall under the provincial government. Moustarah has said that the area was under the federal government and the products were going to be sold in reserves.

Moustarah further informed that the authorities stated, the holders of the cigarettes did not have an appropriate license and that they were not eligible to hold so many cigarettes and that is why they seized them. It was also informed that Montana First Nation did not have to abide by the provincial tax act.