NASCAR driver Derek White wanted in massive tobacco smuggling investigation

NASCAR driver Derek White, as well as 60 other people, are wanted in connection with a massive tobacco smuggling operation, according to Bloomberg. The driver is charged with helping to manage what Canadian officials are calling the biggest tobacco smuggling bust in North American history. White allegedly worked within a criminal organization to bring cheap tobacco into Quebec from the United States without paying taxes on it. The cheap tobacco was then sold on Native reserves, such as the Kahnawake and Six Nations reserves. It is unclear whether White was taken into custody with the other suspects Wednesday. White's lawyer declined to comment to Bloomberg.

White is a member of the Mohawk tribe and lives in the Kahnawake reserve. He was the first Native American to start in the Sprint Cup last year and has 22 career Xfinity Series starts according to ESPN. White wasn't just an innocent runner in this scheme, according to Bloomberg. Police handed out organization charts of the ring that put White near the top. Profits from the tobacco were then used to buy harder drugs, like crystal meth and cocaine. Police said the ring smuggled 2,294 tons of tobacco leaf without paying a cent in taxes.The illegal operation represents a 409 million USD in missed tax revenue to Quebec and the Canadian government. Along with the 60 arrests, police seized Police seized more than 52,800 kilograms of tobacco, 836 kilos of cocaine, 21 kilos of methamphetamine, 100 grams of fentanyl and 35 pounds of marijuana.