Thank you very much.
As director general of the RCMP border integrity program, I'd like thank the committee for this opportunity to meet and discuss the illicit tobacco trade.
Briefly, and by way of background, a large portion of the RCMP's border integrity mandate is to enforce laws within Canada and along the uncontrolled border, and to govern thereby the international movement of dutiable, taxable, controlled, or prohibited goods; and the manufacture, distribution, and possession of contraband products, including tobacco and spirits.
Historically, like other criminal trends, the illicit tobacco trade ebbs and flows. Over the years, we've seen periods of sharp spikes and sharp declines. Today, it is not only flowing, but also hemorrhaging, and it has flourished into a key business enterprise for many criminal groups. Since 2001, our contraband tobacco seizures have rapidly and steadily climbed. Last year, our seizures reached an all-time high. We seized more than 618,000 cartons of illegal cigarettes, a 21-fold increase over 2001, which totalled 29,000 cartons at that time. Equally concerning are the large bags of illegal raw leaf and loose tobacco seized. Again, last year our seizures reached 37 metric tonnes.
Clearly it's big business for criminals. In fact, intelligence assessments, along with seizure rates, indicate three things: the trade is growing, it is no longer centralized in only Ontario and Quebec, and more than 150 organized crime groups are involved. But they are not only involved in trafficking contraband tobacco.
These are criminals who also deal in drugs, firearms smuggling and money laundering. It's not uncommon to have our investigators seize other illegal commodities along with tobacco, today.
Last summer, through a marine security initiative called Shiprider, the RCMP and the U.S. Coast Guard worked in partnership on the same vessels along our shared marine border. The project resulted in the seizure of more than 1.4 million contraband cigarettes, 200 pounds of marijuana, and $38,000 in illicit cash, and contributed to dozens of arrests. All this occurred in a two-month span in a relatively small marine corridor in the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Given its growth, proliferation, and connection to organized crime, contraband tobacco is a major priority of the RCMP customs and excise program. To further focus our efforts on effectively attacking the market, the Minister of Public Safety and our deputy commissioner of federal policing officially released the RCMP's contraband tobacco enforcement strategy this morning. While a big part of the strategy is the disruption of criminal organizations, success will require more than enforcement alone.
In this regard, in developing our strategy we met with over 70 partners and stakeholders that have an interest in the contraband tobacco trade. Through this consultation and dialogue, we believe our strategy responds to the various challenges before us.
Decades of experience dealing with this illegal market, however, indicate that enforcement efforts alone will not resolve the issue. Making an impact will require a multi-layered approach encompassing a number of initiatives, including raising public awareness. The public needs to understand that purchasing contraband tobacco directly supports organized crime. We believe that knowing the consequences will help reduce the demand.
We'll strive for more open dialogue with aboriginal governments on issues associated with contraband tobacco trade. We will monitor and evaluate programs to keep pace with the evolution of the illicit trade and adjust our approach as required.
We are committed to expanding partnerships and improving international cooperation and training. For example, last week close to 150 representatives from several countries met in Toronto for the sixth annual tobacco diversion workshop. This is perfect example of international cooperation. This is more than a Canadian problem; it's a global problem requiring a global solution.
In closing, based on the growth of the illicit market, it's evident that the current deterrents have to be enhanced and expanded. I can assure you that the RCMP will continue to pursue criminal organizations involved in illicit tobacco manufacturing operations and large-scale distribution networks.
The Strategy is our continued commitment to targeting this crime and it will build on the actions we are already taking to ensure the safety and security of our communities.
I would like to thank you for inviting me to appear before this committee. I am prepared to take any questions you may have.