Tobacco charges against Klassen stayed; seized cash dispute unresolved

The Crown stayed tobacco-related charges and a charge of possessing property obtained by crime against Stefan Klassen in Steinbach provincial court on Oct. 23, and a judge ordered the seized unstamped tobacco forfeited. A dispute over seized cash was left unresolved.

Judge David Mann said a stay means the charges are dropped.

Klassen, who represented himself, faced charges including selling, transporting or possessing tobacco for sale, and possessing property obtained by crime, all alleged to have happened Jan. 21.

Crown attorney Dan Manning said most of the tobacco was found in a carport and said it was possible that someone else had the bulk of it because Klassen’s residence was a rooming house, which would undermine the charge of possessing property obtained by crime.

Manning asked for forfeiture of all the unstamped tobacco, saying possessing it is a crime. The judge granted the order and told Klassen he would not get the cigarettes back in any event.

The judge said about $89,000 in cash was also seized. The Crown said it was not seeking forfeiture of the cash. The judge made no order forfeiting the money or ordering its return.

Klassen said the money is his “life savings, business savings” and asked for it back.

The judge said the provincial court has no jurisdiction over the money, and Klassen would have to file a claim in the Court of King’s Bench. He suggested Klassen first ask the RCMP whether they are returning it and why they are holding it.