Following an investigation into the sale of contraband cigarettes, members of the Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Investigations Unit have seized 71,000 contraband cigarettes, with assistance from the RCMP. The seizure resulted in the arrest of two male residents of Winnipeg, aged 26 and 44, on Dec. 12.  The two men will face charges under The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. Manitoba stood to lose $20,945 in tax revenue if these cigarettes had been sold.  If convicted, the individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment.  In addition, they may face a triple tax penalty of $62,835. 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 3:32, Police conducted a traffic stop in the 1700 block of Lorne Ave. The operator of the vehicle, a 23 year old Brandon woman, was found to have 25.8 grams of Cocaine, 1.9 grams of meth and .9 grams of Crack Cocaine in her possession. She was released for a later court date.

Brandon University’s annual Family & Friends Holiday Luncheon welcomed more than 150 people to a decked-out Harvest Hall on Friday afternoon, to enjoy a holiday meal, celebrate the season, and to show off their best ‘ugly’ holiday sweater. The luncheon also helps raise money for Christmas Cheer, with a theme this year of “A Season of Giving.” Over the past month, gift baskets put together in various areas and departments at the University have been up for raffle, with a final chance to buy tickets at the Holiday Luncheon itself, where the winners were drawn. This year’s basket raffled raised a total of $4,295 — a new record that is more than $600 higher than last year’s previous record. Since the basket raffle was initiated in 2013, members of the BU community have donated just under $21,000 to Christmas Cheer. Thank you everyone who has helped us achieve that tremendous amount.

Late Friday afternoon a three-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of 1st St and Rosser Ave. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded. At least one vehicle's airbags deployed, but thankfully nobody was injured.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release The Brandon Police Service is aware of an email bomb threats that was sent to a local business in Brandon. The email threats are demanding bit coin payment. If you have been the recipient of one of these e-mail threats, please do not respond to the bit coin demand. The BPS will be cooperating with the RCMP in determining the origin and validity of the threats.