A Canadian man, Martin Bessette, has been extradited from Mexico to face charges related to his involvement in a major contraband tobacco network. Bessette, a 50-year-old citizen, had been on the run for nearly three years after pleading guilty to smuggling charges in 2022 but failing to appear for sentencing.
The extradition, facilitated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on Aug. 29, 2025, marks a significant development in the case known as Project Butane. This investigation, launched in 2018 by the CBSA, targeted the leaders and drivers of a criminal network responsible for smuggling contraband tobacco, with estimated criminal activities exceeding $450 million.
After Bessette’s guilty plea to eight counts related to tobacco smuggling under various acts, he went missing in 2022, leading to a warrant for his arrest. Subsequently, it was found that he had fled to Mexico. Mexican officials apprehended Bessette in March 2025 following a formal extradition request by Canadian authorities.
Upon his return, Bessette was ordered detained by a judge pending further legal proceedings. Eric Lapierre, the CBSA’s Regional Director General for the Quebec Region, emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating illegal trade and prosecuting individuals involved in smuggling activities.
Tobacco smuggling not only poses a threat to the Canadian economy but also fuels various forms of organized crime, including human trafficking, firearms trafficking, and drug trafficking.