Police seize 86,000 unstamped cigarettes and cannabis from Montreal Road business
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 17, 2026 12:50 p.m.
(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has seized approximately 86,000 unstamped cigarettes, cannabis and other regulated products following an investigation into an illicit tobacco retailer on Montreal Road.
In September 2025, the Central District Vanier/Overbrook Neighbourhood Resource Team (NRT) began investigating a business operating from a storefront in the 200 block of Montreal Road.
Investigators determined that the business did not have a valid licence to sell tobacco products, and subsequently identified the corporate entity operating the business and its owner.
On July 16, 2026, police executed a search warrant, and three people were arrested at the business. The store owner was arrested during a traffic stop shortly after.
During the search, investigators also discovered an unlicensed cannabis dispensary operating from within the business and facilitating online sales.
Officers seized:
- approximately 86,000 unstamped cigarettes;
- approximately five kilograms of cannabis;
- a substantial quantity of nicotine products;
- THC-containing products; and
- a significant quantity of Canadian currency.
The Vanier/Overbrook NRT continues to lead the investigation, and charges have been laid.
The business owner, identified as 43-year-old Anthony Tenasco, has been charged with:
- Sale of unpackaged, unstamped tobacco
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon
- Possess weapon dangerous to public peace x2
- Possess weapon for committing an offence x2
- Possess property or thing obtained by crime not exceeding $5000
- Possess proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Possession for the purpose of selling (Cannabis Act)
- Possession of Cannabis for the purpose of distributing (Cannabis Act)
The three store employees were jointly charged with:
- Sale of unpackaged, unstamped tobacco
- Possess weapon dangerous to public peace x2
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or cannabis products is asked to contact the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.
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CONTACT:
Media Relations
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
