Three men from western P.E.I. have been ordered to pay more than $500,000 in fines for dealing in illegal cigarettes.
The provincial fines levied were much higher than they would have been a year ago. Under amendments to the provincial act proclaimed last March 15, fines can equal five times the tax that was due if the cigarettes had been sold legally. Previously, the provincial fines were equal to the tax payable.
James Banks of Summerside, Donald MacArthur of Belmount and Joseph Hippenstall of Summerside were convicted under P.E.I.'s Tobacco Tax Act and the federal Excise Act after 1,750 cartons of cigarettes were seized on June 7. Fines were levied under both acts.
Banks and MacArthur were each charged $234,094.30 in provincial fines and $40,000 in federal fines and given three years to pay. Hippenstall was ordered to pay $2,794 in provincial fines and $1,000 in federal fines, with one year to pay.
If they don't pay their fines, the province can seize their assets, including their homes. The fines were handed down last week in Summerside provincial court.
For the part that has me interested, read again:
The provincial fines levied were much higher than they would have been a year ago. Under amendments to the provincial act proclaimed last March 15, fines can equal five times the tax that was due if the cigarettes had been sold legally. Previously, the provincial fines were equal to the tax payable.
An act like directed at illegal booze in Nunavut would be devastating to the illegal trade. It would also cripple those responsible finacially forever (which is really the down side).... but I bet the good olde boys in West Prince will think twice before selling illegal smokes.
Sometimes, you have to shoot a hostage to get the attention of the others, I'm just sayin'
