A 72-year-old Richmond man has pleaded guilty to smuggling 10 tonnes of chewing tobacco into the country and selling it, according to a Canada Border Services Agency statement Thursday.

Mehboob Karim Alladina admitted in Richmond Provincial Court on June 21 that between July 2008 and July 2015 he smuggled over 10,000 kilograms of unstamped chewing tobacco from India. He also pled guilty to possessing and selling the product valued at $475,600.

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Alladina was handed a nine month conditional (non prison) sentence, including house arrest, on both counts and fined $49,892.70 for the Excise Act, 2001 offence, noted CBSA.

According to CBSA spokesperson Kathy Liu there was a lengthy investigation into Alladina’s behaviour and accomplices are still being investigated.

“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) became aware of Mr. Alladina after an incident in November 2009 where he paid a traveller to smuggle nearly 14 kilograms into Canada through the Boundary Bay port of entry,” noted Liu.

“Mr. Alladina had accomplices in these organized smuggling schemes. However, as the investigations on those individuals are still ongoing, the CBSA has no further information to share.”

City of Richmond business licence records show Alladina operated a business from his 3088 Francis Road residence at Seafair West, valued at $1.25 million.