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The complete series:

On reserves grown accustomed to poverty, the illegal tobacco factories are the heart of a solidly entrenched economic powerhouse, broadly supported and responsible for new mansions, nice cars and general financial wellbeing. In a striking reflection of the complex relationship between non-native governments and First Nations, they are often allowed to operate with virtual impunity.

How Ontario’s tobacco-growing country has given birth to a growing underground economy, as farmers — many of whom took a federal-government buyout just two years ago — sell raw leaf under the table to contraband manufacturers for vastly inflated prices. Yet little is being done to stop the supply of tobacco and other raw ingredients — like cigarette filters and papers — to the blackmarket factories.

The organized-crime problem. Evidence is mounting that the Hell’s Angels, mafia, Russian mob and other gangsters are involved in the lucrative contraband tobacco business. We also hear from a Mohawk businessman accused of consorting with outlaw bikers, who says the allegations are baseless and that he always wanted to operate his factory completely above board — until politics got in the way.

All about Canada’s smuggling capital: Akwesasne Mohawk reserve, straddling the border with the U.S and perfect for trade in contraband. Yet Akwesasne’s smuggling origins lie with legal, big-tobacco companies, and smuggling’s resurgence in the last several years came despite urgent warnings from Mohawk leaders to the federal government.

If there is one reason to take the contraband issue seriously it is the fear that it has ended a long, downward slide in smoking rates. One teenage contraband customer talks about the ease with which such cigarettes can be found and bought by young people. Possible solutions are debated.



