Rick Barnum

Executive Director of a national organization stopping illicit markets. Former OPP Deputy Commissioner.

[BC Crime Stoppers @FightCrimeBC]

Illegal tobacco and vape sales don't just affect the person making the purchase, they can have broader impacts on our communities.

The sale of suspected contraband tobacco and illegal vape products may contribute to organized crime, reduce government tax revenue that supports public services, increase youth access to unregulated products, and create unfair competition for legitimate businesses.

When purchasing tobacco or vape products, be aware of potential warning signs such as:
🚭 Tobacco products sold in plain packaging or plastic bags
🏷️ Missing or altered Canadian excise stamps on tobacco products
⚠️ Missing required health warnings or regulatory labels
💲 Prices that seem significantly lower than retail value
🛒 Products sold through unauthorized sellers, social media, or informal marketplaces instead of licensed retailers

These signs do not necessarily mean a product is illegal, but they may indicate that further investigation is warranted.

If you have information about the sale or distribution of suspected contraband tobacco or illegal vape products, you can submit an anonymous tip to BC Crime Stoppers. Your identity is never known to us.

📞 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
💻 https://t.co/uihKCtPfdj

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Read about the largest drug seizure in Manitoba’s history and its connection to illegal cigarettes:
https://t.co/nANHUR3ODK

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

“There’s no better commodity right now for organized crime..than contraband cigarettes,” Barnum said. He estimates the profit margin at roughly 400 percent — higher, he said, than even high-purity cocaine, which he put at perhaps 200 percent.."

Read more here:

[Sam Cooper @scoopercooper]

The Cigarette Clues in Winnipeg's Biggest Cartel Bust Point to an Indigenous Tobacco Empire and Protected Entities https://t.co/Ima8jeStPo

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Thank you for having me on the show!

[CTV News Atlantic @CTVAtlantic]

Advocacy group sees uptick in contraband tobacco in Atlantic Canada https://t.co/RzExO4mErX

[CTV News Atlantic @CTVAtlantic]

Advocacy group sees uptick in contraband tobacco in Atlantic Canada https://t.co/RzExO4mErX

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

1.35 million illegal cigarettes were also seized — this shows a clear link between contraband tobacco, guns, drugs, and organized crime.

Making contraband tobacco enforcement a priority would help curb both illegal tobacco sales and the criminal activity associated with them.

[Winnipeg Police @wpgpolice]

A two-year interprovincial organized crime investigation has resulted in the largest illicit drug seizure in Manitoba history.

Through the coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, investigators seized:

• 339 kg of methamphetamine
• 175 kg of cocaine
• 11.25 kg of fentanyl
• 14 firearms
• Approximately $825,000 in currency

Thirty-three individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation.

Organized crime networks do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries.

Investigations of this scale are only possible through intelligence-sharing, coordinated enforcement, and strong partnerships between agencies working toward one shared goal: safer communities.

Every kilogram seized represents potential harm prevented.

Read more: https://t.co/l6CAWvhp9g

#PartnersInCommunitySafety

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Great story. This seizure highlights how illegal cigarettes are tied to a billion-dollar organized crime industries. The Government of Manitoba must show leadership in tackling the illegal market and the criminal activity behind it.

[Global Winnipeg @globalwinnipeg]

Illegal cigarettes with ‘gigantic’ profit margin are costing Canadians billions

https://t.co/shTOVynHDA

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

The biggest drug seizure in Manitoba's history includes 1.35 million illegal cigarettes. This is yet another clear indication that illicit cigarettes are a multi-billion-dollar business controlled by organized crime.
Read more here: https://t.co/K8xHXjoNQz

[Seizure Watch @SeizureWatch]

🇨🇦 Canada: $75K in illegal cigarettes seized in Fort McMurray highlights the growing threat of Canada’s two-tier tobacco market. Criminal networks exploit regulatory gaps, costing billions in lost revenue and harming communities. It’s time for action.
https://t.co/CvtJEHPcnW

[London Free Press @LFPress]

The Hells Angels and other organized crime groups are increasingly involved in the lucrative black market cigarette business. @DaleatLFPress reports: https://t.co/6wj7Uas4we #swont

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Thank you to the @westernstandard for sharing.

We know that contraband tobacco is one of the easiest, most lucrative, and lowest-risk revenue streams available to organized crime.

More must be done across the country to tackle this growing problem.

[Western Standard @WesternStandard]

LETTERS: Every illegal cigarette funds crime — so why isn’t Canada cracking down harder? https://t.co/0WZ0SiDVNd

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

The Gov. of New Brunswick is taking much-needed action — its 2026 budget commits $1.2M to establish a dedicated contraband tobacco enforcement team.

You can read my comments below.
https://t.co/qjR5UrBWuw

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

When illegal tobacco sales grow, organized crime grows. That’s why the Gov. of Alberta needs to continue building on enforcement measures and the steps already taken in their previous budgets.

Read more here: https://t.co/3gBUbLVX7X

[Western Standard @WesternStandard]

Lloydminster RCMP seize $6M in contraband cigarettes during traffic stop, Calgary man charged https://t.co/Idw8bpCwGH

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

It’s disappointing that the Government of BC failed to address contraband tobacco in its 2026 budget. This lack of action not only harms people in BC, but also undermines enforcement efforts in other provinces, including Alberta. Read my statement below:

https://t.co/4WvDqA6gZe

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Strong work by @ONfinance investigators. With support from the @OPP, 8.64 million unmarked cigarettes were seized in a single traffic stop — an impressive result. Well done, and keep up the great work.
https://t.co/cBgwsrxX9R

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Excellent work by @NBCrimeStoppers on the “Not So Cheap” campaign.

By exposing how illegal tobacco fuels organized crime, human trafficking, & illegal drugs, this campaign shows the real cost to families and communities across the province.

https://t.co/zGfbD0xBqo

[N.B. Crime Stoppers @NBCrimeStoppers]

Did you know that the sale of illegal cigarettes is pushing corner stores in New Brunswick out of business?

This hurts small business owners and communities.

Help stop the sale of illegal tobacco in New Brunswick.

Visit https://t.co/B28LKRog6D
Call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

[Rick Barnum @rickbarnum_]

Just spoke with CTV News Saskatoon about what’s really happening behind the scenes. Read more from the interview here:

#saskatchewan

[CTV Saskatoon @ctvsaskatoon]

Untaxed tobacco makes millions for criminal groups and sells for $5 a pack in Saskatoon https://t.co/vCClrjpTrF

[CTV Saskatoon @ctvsaskatoon]

Untaxed tobacco makes millions for criminal groups and sells for $5 a pack in Saskatoon https://t.co/vCClrjpTrF