Four GTA residents charged in alleged 116,000-kg tobacco smuggling ring
The RCMP and CBSA allege the operation moved tobacco from the United States across Canada between October 2020 and April 2024.
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Four people from the Greater Toronto Area have been charged in connection with an alleged tobacco smuggling operation that moved nearly 116,000 kilograms of tobacco from the United States into Canada and between provinces, the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency say.
The joint investigation alleges the operation ran from October 2020 to April 2024 and exploited Canada's transportation industry, including the extended railway system. The four accused were charged on September 21, 2026, and face conspiracy charges to smuggle tobacco into Canada, transport tobacco, possess raw leaf tobacco and evade compliance, along with additional charges tied to their individual roles.
The accused are Johnny Gamboa, 48, of Toronto; Harminder Grewal, 47, of Brampton; Rinnamoon Haddad, 50, of Caledon; and Avikesh Sharma, 49, of Mississauga. All four are scheduled to appear in court on October 29, 2026. The charges are allegations and have not been tested in court.
