The second of two people charged following the seizure of thousands of dollars-worth of illegal cigarettes in Whitecourt last summer has been given a 12-month conditional sentence.
Dustin Swanson, 44, of Whitecourt, was sentenced in Whitecourt Court of Justice on Jan. 21, 2026, after being convicted on one count under the Excise Act of sell/offer for sale or have in their possession unstamped tobacco. Three other charges were withdrawn.
Some of Swanson’s conditions include no contact or communication with his co-accused, abide by a curfew and remain in his approved residence between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., keeping the peace and being of good behaviour, remaining within the jurisdiction of the court, notifying the court of any name, address or employment changes, and complete 100 hours of community service at a rate of 10 hours per month.
Meantime, co-accused Bradley Richard Ingersoll, 33, also of Whitecourt, was given a $2,400 fine after pleading guilty to sell/offer for sale/possess unstamped tobacco, in Whitecourt Court of Justice Oct. 28, 2025. Two other counts against him were withdrawn.
It was on Aug. 7, 2025, while conducting a curfew check, a Whitecourt RCMP officer observed possible contraband tobacco at a residence in Whitecourt. Further investigation, assisted by Whitecourt General Investigation Section (GIS), confirmed the information and revealed another person involved.
On Aug. 9, 2025, Mounties say search warrants were then executed, resulting in a total of 27 contraband master cases being recovered. In total, over 270,000 contraband cigarettes were seized, with an estimated value of $67,500.
Dustin Swanson was charged with failure to comply with order, possession of unstamped tobacco with the purpose of selling (criminal code and excise act), and possession of stolen property.
Bradley Ingersoll, meantime, was originally charged with possession of stolen property and possession of unstamped tobacco with the purpose of selling (criminal code and excise act).
Whitecourt RCMP’s Detachment Commander, Sergeant Matthew Clarke, advised residents following the arrests, to be mindful where they purchase their tobacco.
“We want to be sure that those who deal in illegal goods are held accountable and do not wish to have members of our community unknowingly purchase those illegal goods.”
Related: Whitecourt man sentenced to $2,400 fine in illegal cigarettes bust
Related: Whitecourt RCMP curfew check leads to illegal tobacco seizure
