Derek White Named As Part Of Canadian Smuggling Ring

Bloomberg BusinessWeek reported today that part-time NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Derek White is being sought as part of the largest tobacco-smuggling bust in North American history.

White was among approximately 60 people named by authorities in Quebec and Ontario who are alleged to have purchased leaf tobacco in the United States and smuggled it into Canada for sale on the Kahnawake and Six Nations reserves, without paying the required taxes. The tobacco was then processed into cigarettes, which were then sold at a discount on the native reserves. Profits from those cigarette sales were allegedly used to purchase cocaine.

Officials say more than 52,800 kilograms of tobacco were seized in a series of raids Wednesday, accounting for more than $409 million in lost tax revenue.  In addition, 836 kilos of cocaine, 21 kilos of methamphetamine, 100 grams of fentanyl and 35 pounds of marijuana were also seized.

Surete de Quebec – the Quebec provincial police force – has not confirmed that the Derek White they are seeking is, in fact, the NASCAR driver. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, other officials say the NASCAR driver is among those being sought, accused of being a top-ranking member of the smuggling ring.

The 45-year old White, a resident of the Kahnawake reserve, entered a Dodge owned by veteran campaigner Carl Long in a pair of NASCAR XFINITY Series races this season, failing to qualify for the season-opener at Daytona and finishing 36^th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Last July, he qualified 42^nd and finished 39^th in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; his only career start in that series.

Long whose MBM (Motorsports Business Management) team supplied the cars driven by White, declined to comment to CATCHFENCE.com until more details become available. A spokesperson for NASCAR said the sanctioning body is also gathering information.