The legal market for tobacco has been restored across most of the country and smuggling-related violence and crime have declined. The RCMP and Revenue Canada report a total of 4,500 weapons and firearms seized since 1994. By bolstering law enforcement strength at key border points, authorities can respond quickly to intelligence tips. Strong enforcement at border points will also continue to deter personal smuggling. The increased resources under the anti-smuggling strategy have also helped the RCMP and Revenue Canada Customs to improve their ability to collect and analyze intelligence on smuggling operations.
Organized criminals continue to attempt smuggling operations in various commodities.
Since 1994 enforcement agencies have disrupted some 120 established smuggling networks and are investigating dozens more. And recently, a joint international law enforcement operation disrupted a major alien smuggling syndicate. Enforcement activities will continue to target all elements of the contraband trade to support legitimate businesses and help protect tax revenues important to the public. In February 1997, Solicitor General Herb Gray announced the creation of the Canadian Anti-Smuggling Coordinating Group to liaise with a parallel American group called the Northeast Border Working Group to review both operational and policy issues on smuggling. In September 1996, with the help of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, drug runners using an airstrip in northern Quebec as a base were discovered and arrested.