Police arrested a Lingan man on Tuesday morning in Sydney for possession of illegal cigarettes.

Investigators from the RCMP Sydney Federal Operations Support Unit and the Cape Breton Regional Police Drug Unit, with the assistance of the Service Nova Scotia Municipal Relations investigators, searched the vehicle of 41-year-old Michael Rockett.

Four cases of contraband cigarettes, approximately 40,000 cigarettes, were found. Rockett was arrested and his 2008 Mazda M3 seized and impounded. A quantity of cash was seized in a subsequent search of his residence on Point Road, Lingan.

‘Illegal tobacco sales fund criminal groups, pose health risks to our communities and undermine legitimate local business activities,’ said Inspector John Ryan, Federal Support Officer with the RCMP. ‘That’s why it’s important to get illegal tobacco off our streets.’

Rockett was charged with Unlawful Possession of unstamped tobacco under the Federal Excise Act and Unlawful Possession of tobacco products under the Provincial Revenue Act. He has been released and is scheduled to appear in Sydney court on January 8th, 2014.

Source: Release