Thousands of illegal smokes seized

A New Brunswick man is facing charges after being arrested early Monday morning with 130,000 illegal cigarettes.
The 54-year-old from Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, who has not been identified, was stopped for speeding on the Trans-Canada Highway 104 in Debert at 12:30 a.m. Police investigating the speeding noted a strong odour of raw tobacco from inside the car
and the RCMP Customs and Excise Unit was called in. Inside the vehicle 650 clear plastic zip-lock bags, each containing 200 cigarettes, were discovered.
“This has been the second apprehension in less than a week indicating that, despite higher prices for the illegal tobacco at the point of origin, there is still a demand for the product,” said Cpl. John Currie.
The man was released to appear in Truro provincial court on Oct. 28 to face charges under the Federal Excise Act and the provincial Revenue Act.
Last Wednesday afternoon a truck was stopped for speeding near the Cobequid Pass toll-booth and a subsequent search led to the seizure of 1,250 cartons of illegal cigarettes. A 34-year-old Indian Brook man is to appear in Amherst provincial court on Oct. 28 to face Customs and Excise Act charges.