Manitoba Finance’s Taxation Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant on Wednesday, May 15 at a Brandon residence and seized 68,150 contraband cigarettes and $3,760 in cash. A 37-year-old female resident was found to be in possession of illegal tobacco products that were not marked for Manitoba tax purposes.  She now faces charges under The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act, The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act and the Criminal Code. Manitoba stood to lose $20,104.25 in tax revenue if these products had been sold.  For a first-time offence, individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment.  If convicted, the accused is subject to a triple tax penalty of $60,312.75. The province urges anyone who has information on contraband tobacco to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137, email smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 1:30 pm police receive a report of a disturbance occurring at an east end residence.  One of the individuals who was responsible for the issues left prior to police arrival, but continued to cause problems at a second address a short distance away.  The 18-year-old male was arrested for Breach of the Peace and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre to prevent any further disturbances. At the original disturbance location, a male youth who was wanted on a warrant for his arrest was located.  Upon his arrest Police located a can of bear mace on him.  He too was lodged at Brandon Correctional Center and will appear in court today on charges of Possession of Prohibited Weapon, Possess Property Obtained by Crime, FTA court, and Carry Concealed Weapon.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Sunday evening, a witness reported a possible impaired driver in the area of the 1600 block of 26th St.  The vehicle was located by officers in a nearby apartment complex, parked at one of the apartments.   A man was located at the apartment, however it was unknown if he was the driver. He was warned to not drive if he was consuming alcohol.  Shortly after, the man was observed driving away in the vehicle, which was stopped.   He was arrested and then provided breath samples over 3 times the legal limit.  The man, a 36 year old from Brandon, was lodged at BCC and will appear in court on the charges  later in May.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Saturday afternoon, Police were contacted by a south-end business and advised of a theft of approximately $120.00 worth of merchandise.  The accused was identified through video surveillance, located and arrested without incident.  The unopened property was recovered and returned to the business.  The 36-year-old Brandon male will appear in court in July.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 0215 am, Saturday morning, police attended a residence in the 400 block of 18th Street, for a disturbance.  A 39-year-old Brandon male was allegedly assaulted by his roommate.  He was transported to BRHC with a head injury that is believed to be non-life threatening.  The suspect has not yet been located.  While at the scene, another male was observed by police, armed with a knife.  The male discarded the weapon when ordered to do so and was arrested without further incident.  The 17-year-old Brandon male was charged with Possession of a Weapon and was lodged at BCC for release when sober.  He will appear in court in June.  A fourth male was arrested at the scene for breach of the peace and will be released when sober.