2009/4/30
A traffic stop conducted by RCMP members in the northwestern part of the province on April 29, 2009 led to the seizure of 240,000 contraband cigarettes, marking the second large seizure of illegal tobacco in Northern New Brunswick this week and bringing the total of illegal cigarettes seized in the region in recent weeks to nearly two million.
Members of J Division’s Roving Traffic Unit and District 10’s Traffic Unit stopped a passenger van for a traffic violation on the Trans-Canada Highway near Saint-Basile, N.B. and found two men in possession of approximately $27,200 worth of contraband cigarettes and other contraband tobacco products. The van and contraband tobacco products were seized. The driver and passenger were arrested and are scheduled to appear in court in Edmundston on June 17, 2009.
The RCMP believes the cigarettes were destined for Nova Scotia. Putting a stop to the flow of illegal tobacco through New Brunswick is a priority for the RCMP. “It’s a serious problem,” says Cpl. Robert Fullerton of New Brunswick’s Customs and Excise Unit. “We’re seeing more and more organized crime groups using the illegal tobacco trade to fund their activities. We need to work in partnership with communities to help keep this type of activity out of our province.”
Anyone with information about illegal tobacco or organized crime is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
- 30 -
Cpl. Robert Fullerton
RCMP Customs and Excise
Saint Leonard, NB
506-423-1055
