A Canadian man accused of being a key player in a large-scale contraband tobacco network has been brought back from Mexico to face charges after evading legal proceedings for almost three years.
Martin Bessette, a 50-year-old Canadian, was extradited by investigators from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on August 29, 2025, following his arrest in Mexico earlier this year. Bessette had previously admitted guilt to multiple charges related to tobacco smuggling but absconded before his sentencing in 2022.
The allegations stemmed from Project Butane, an investigation initiated by the CBSA in 2018 to dismantle a criminal network engaged in smuggling contraband tobacco across borders. The network’s illicit activities are estimated to have surpassed $450 million.
In June 2022, Bessette pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Customs Act, the Excise Act, 2001, and the Criminal Code. However, his failure to appear in a Québec court for sentencing in September 2022 led to a warrant for his arrest.
After discovering Bessette had fled to Mexico, Canadian authorities pursued formal extradition, resulting in his arrest by Mexican officials in March 2025. Upon his return, Bessette faced a judge who ordered his detention pending further legal procedures.
Eric Lapierre, Regional Director General of the CBSA’s Quebec Region, stated, “The CBSA is committed to disrupting criminal networks profiting from illegal trade and will prosecute individuals involved in smuggling activities across borders.”
The extradition of the individual linked to tobacco trafficking exemplifies the collaborative efforts of the CBSA and its partners to combat organized crime and safeguard national borders. Furthermore, the CBSA stressed that smuggling tobacco not only damages the Canadian economy but also supports various other forms of organized crime, including human trafficking, firearms trafficking, and drug trafficking.
