News release

9.1 million illicit cigarettes seized by Saskatchewan RCMP following a traffic stop on Highway #16

January 29, 2026 - RM of Battle River, Saskatchewan
From: Saskatchewan RCMP

Content

Saskatchewan RCMP have charged an adult male after 9.1 million illicit cigarettes were seized following a vehicle search in the RM of Battle River.

On January 20, 2026 at approximately 12:40 a.m., Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch stopped a truck and trailer on Highway #16 in the RM of Battle River, SK. They found a large amount of illicit tobacco in the trailer and arrested the adult male occupant of the truck.

Battlefords RCMP, along with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Yorkton Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT), were engaged to continue the investigation. During a search of the truck and trailer, officers observed 23 pallets of unstamped tobacco containing approximately 9.1 million illicit cigarettes. The items were seized by officers, and the male was taken into RCMP custody.

Investigation determined the driver was on court-ordered release conditions, including to not be outside of Ontario, in relation to tobacco-related charges laid in Ontario.

As a result of further investigation, 41-year-old Harwinder Kahlon from Brampton, ON is charged with:

• one count, sell, offer for sale, transport, deliver, distribute, or have in his possession for the purpose of sale a tobacco product, or a raw leaf tobacco that is unstamped, Section 121.1(1), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of unstamped tobacco, Section 32(1), Excise Act;
• one count, possess, store, transport or sell tobacco that is not marked in a prescribed manner, Section 11(8), Tobacco Tax Act; and
• one count, fail to comply with undertaking condition, Section 145(4)(a), Criminal Code.

Harwinder Kahlon appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on January 21, 2026.