NASCAR: Driver arrested in huge smuggling sting

NASCAR driver and car owner Derek White is facing charges connected to the biggest tobacco-smuggling bust in North American history.

NBC Sports reports that White turned himself in to authorities in Quebec after learning that an arrest warrant had been issued in his name on Wednesday. The investigation, which was jointly launched by the USDA and Homeland Security along with Canadian authorities, began in 2014, and has since led to nearly 60 arrests and almost 70 searches.

White, 45, made his sole appearance in the Sprint Cup when he joined the field at New Hampshire last July, when he finished 39th. He has also made 22 Xfinity Series starts over the past four years, as well as six appearances in Trucks.

Sgt. Daniel Thibaudeau of the Quebec Provincial Police told NBC that the investigation has revealed more than 150 transports of illegal tobacco between North Carolina and Canada between 2014 and 2016, with a total of about 2294 tons of tobacco overall. According to the report, that translated into $530 million Canadian in unpaid taxes.

White, who as a member of the Mohawk tribe is one of few Native Americans to have raced in NASCAR, was charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud against the government, three counts of fraud toward the government, and one count of profiteering as a criminal organization.

Items seized during Wednesday's raids included substantial quantities of drugs as well as more than $1.5 million Canadian dollars and $3 million U.S. in cash.