A recent police raid on a tobacco manufacturing facility on Six Nations – the second in the past 12 months – has some local tobacco entrepreneurs concerned. One of those entrepreneurs, Nick “Nitro” Wyman, says “it’s a slippery slope, in my opinion.”
Six Nations Police, along with the OPP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team, seized 40,000 kg of contraband tobacco near First Line and Seneca Road on June 11 as part of Project Track. The investigation yielded more than 40,000 kg of tobacco and 300 kg of shisha with an estimated street value of more than $10 million, plus a handgun, manufacturing lines, stolen vehicles and cash.
Two Hamilton men were charged. Wyman, who employs about 80 people, agrees non-native criminals should not be involved but worries about the implications for legitimate Six Nations tobacco operators practicing their sovereignty.
