AMHERST – Illegal tobacco, valued at more than $40,000, was seized during a traffic stop near Amherst on Feb. 9.
Two arrests were made during the stop that saw 85,000 contraband cigarettes seized.
The estimated provincial tax value of the seized cigarettes is more than $23,000 and the federal value is $18,000.
Cumberland RCMP, Sûreté du Québec Contraband Tobacco Unit and officers of the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety and Contraband Enforcement Unit assisted Service Nova Scotia with the investigation.
Two Halifax-area men, ages 51 and 52, are scheduled to appear in Amherst provincial court on April 27 to face charges under the Nova Scotia Revenue Act, Excise Act 2001 and the Criminal Code.
Service Nova Scotia, through its Audit and Enforcement Section of the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Branch, is responsible for reducing illegal tobacco in Nova Scotia by working with its law enforcement partners, and through education and enforcement.
