Over 4.3 million illegal cigarettes seized in New Brunswick; four charged

New Brunswick peace officers have made significant seizures of illegal cigarettes, leading to charges against four individuals over a span of one month. The operations, conducted with assistance from policing partners, also resulted in the confiscation of cannabis products, a firearm, and other evidence.

The first major bust occurred on May 15, when officers and the RCMP stopped a truck towing a cargo trailer on the Trans-Canada Highway near Saint-Jacques, Edmundston. The driver, a 32-year-old man from Ontario, was arrested. Authorities seized 3,510,000 unstamped cigarettes, along with a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 truck and an enclosed cargo trailer.

Further action took place on June 13. Peace officers, along with the Miramichi Police Force, Quebec provincial police, and the Ontario Ministry of Finance, intercepted another truck with a cargo trailer in the Miramichi area. The driver and passenger, a 36-year-old and a 42-year-old man from Miramichi, were arrested. This seizure included 739,000 unstamped cigarettes, 1.5 kilograms of dried cannabis, 65 packages of THC edibles, several cannabis pre-rolls, other drugs, and vape cartridges. A 2024 Ford F-150 truck was also seized.

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It is not only illegal to sell contraband cigarettes, but it is also illegal to purchase contraband tobacco under the Excise Act, which can result in fines and criminal charges.

Two days later, on June 15, officers pulled over a truck near Fredericton, leading to the arrest of a 37-year-old man from the region. A search of his vehicle uncovered 150,013 unstamped cigarettes, a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, and other weapons. A 2024 GMC truck was seized in this incident.

Those arrested face charges under the Excise Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, and the Tobacco Tax Act. Assistant Commissioner Matco Sirotic of the RCMP in New Brunswick emphasized that selling and purchasing contraband cigarettes are illegal and can result in significant penalties. He also highlighted the connection between illegal cigarette sales and organized criminal networks, urging the public to be aware of the risks. The government reported that its peace officers have seized approximately 8.27 million contraband cigarettes this year, with an estimated value of $3.72 million in combined federal and provincial taxes.

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When you buy illegal cigarettes, you may also be supporting organized criminal networks who are trying to establish themselves in your community. Working together with our law enforcement partners is important to discouraging this and other illegal activity in our province.