RCMP Federal Operations, assisted by Cape Breton Regional Police and Service Nova Scotia Municipal Relations, made two seizures of illicit tobacco yesterday.
On March 5th, 2014, at approximately 10:30 a.m.
, Sydney RCMP Federal Operations, Cape Breton Regional Police, Service Nova Scotia Municipal Relations (SNSNR) and Richmond County RCMP stopped a vehicle on Highway 4 near St. Peter’s. As a result of the stop, a search of the vehicle and trailer was conducted and police seized 107 cases of illegal tobacco. Two men from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality were arrested without incident and were taken into custody under the Federal Excise Act. The men, ages 48 and 39, were later released from custody with conditions. They will be appearing in court on May 7th at Port Hawksbury to face charges under the Federal Excise Act and the Provincial Revenue Act. The investigation is continuing.
On March 5th, 2014, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Halifax RCMP Federal Operations, assisted by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Enfield RCMP stopped a vehicle on Highway 102 southbound near Enfield. As a result of the stop, a search of the vehicle and trailer was conducted and police seized 25 cases of illegal tobacco. One man from Dartmouth was arrested without incident and was taken into custody under the Federal Excise Act. He was later released from custody and will appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on May 20th, 2014.
SNSMR is responsible for the administration of tobacco taxes and its compliance and special investigations unit works with its partners in law enforcement to combat contraband tobacco.
Note to media: each case typically contains 50 cartons of cigarettes and each carton contains 200 cigarettes.
Source: Release