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RCMP sounds alarm over surge of illegal smokes 

"I think aboriginal communities do not – do not – want to see organized crime flourish in their communities," said Souccar. A 48-page booklet handed out by the RCMP said "the largest source of illegal tobacco in Canada is manufacturing operations in aboriginal territory based on the U.S. side of Akwesasne and Kahnawake in Quebec, and Tyendinaga and Six Nations in Ontario."

The booklet also says police are increasingly seeing counterfeit cigarettes imported from China.

"The current trend of manufacturing, distributing and selling contraband tobacco products ... involves organized crime networks exploiting aboriginal communities and the politically sensitive relationship between these communities and the different levels of government and enforcement agencies, as well as counterfeit tobacco products arriving in Canada mainly from China."

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