More illegal tobacco has been taken off the streets of Nova Scotia following a month-long investigation by Service Nova Scotia’s Compliance and Special Investigations Unit.
On Wednesday, March 29, two Halifax men, aged 56 and 54, and a Halifax woman, aged 45, were arrested with over 37,000 illegal cigarettes. The tobacco was seized along with cash and a vehicle.
The individuals are facing charges under the Nova Scotia Revenue Act. The seized tobacco has a tax value of $10,242 in provincial taxes and $4,012 in federal taxes.
Halifax Regional Police assisted Service Nova Scotia with the investigation.
Service Nova Scotia, through its Audit and Enforcement section, is responsible for reducing illegal tobacco in the province by working with its law enforcement partners and through education and enforcement.
Since 2006-07 the amount of illegal tobacco in the province has decreased from 30 per cent of all tobacco consumed to less than 10 per cent.
Anyone with information regarding the sale and manufacturing of illegal tobacco is asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers.
Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced. If a seizure of illegal tobacco is made based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash reward.
Source: Release