On November 14, 2025, Saskatoon RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) were conducting a check-stop at the Langham weigh scale on Highway 16, near Saskatoon.
At approximately 3:00 a.m., a commercial vehicle entered the check stop and continued through the check stop without stopping.
An SHP officer followed the commercial vehicle, stopped it a few kilometres west of the check stop and escorted it back to the check stop.
At the check stop, SHP officers inspected the trailer of the commercial vehicle and located 24 pallets of unstamped tobacco. SHP officers arrested the driver of the commercial vehicle on site and transported him to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment, with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
Saskatoon RCMP CTSS police officers seized the commercial vehicle, arranged for it to be towed and escorted the vehicle to the Seized Property Management Directorate in Regina for safe storage and further police processing.
The Yorkton RCMP Saskatchewan Trafficking and Response Team (STRT) searched and processed the vehicle. They confirmed 9.3 million illegal cigarettes were seized from the commercial vehicle. “Based on previous similar investigations in saskatchewan, and the current tax rates under provincial and federal legislations, the estimated total tax being evaded is over 4.4 million dollars,” Corporal Aaron Gullacher with the Yorkton RCMP STRT said.
As a result of police investigation, 24-year-old Akashdeep Akashdeep from Brampton, Ontario, is charged with:
- one count, possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of sale, section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of unstamped tobacco; section 11(8) of the Tobacco Tax Act; and
- one count, possession of unstamped tobacco. section 32(1) of the Excise Act.
Akashdeep Akashdeep appeared in court in Saskatoon on November 17, 2025. (Information #90462474, #90462475, #90462474).
“Our government values the strong partnerships between the Saskatchewan RCMP, municipal police services and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C. said. “Collaborative enforcement efforts, like this check stop, play an essential role in promoting road safety and protecting communities across the province.”
“Twenty-three police officers from four agencies operated the check stop. CTSS units from Lanigan, Maidstone, Rosetown, Saskatoon and Yorkton RCMP were joined by Saskatoon Police Service CTSS, Corman Park Police Service and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol. Partnerships like these allow us to intercept large quantities of illegal goods and send a strong message to traffickers of illicit goods – ‘stay off our roads’,” said Superintendent Grant St. Germaine, the Officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
Saskatoon RCMP continues to investigate.