Man Arrested for Illegal Cigarettes

RCMP seized more than 100 thousand illegal cigarettes when they stopped an Ontario motorist along the 104 near Amherst.

It followed a three-month investigation by Service Nova Scotia's Compliance and Special Investigations Unit.

A 28-year-old man from Ontario was arrested and the vehicle was seized.

The seized tobacco has a tax value of $27,603 in provincial taxes and $21,063 in federal excise.

The man made a brief court appearance and is scheduled to appear in Amherst provincial court in October to face charges under the Nova Scotia Revenue Act, Excise Act 2001, and Criminal Code. 

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.

The volume of illegal tobacco in the province has decreased since 2006 from 30 per cent of all tobacco consumed to less than 10 per cent.

Anyone with information regarding the sale or manufacture of illegal tobacco is asked to contact 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.