Illegal Tobacco Seized in Halifax Regional Municipality

A significant amount of illegal tobacco has been taken off the street following a six-month operation by Service Nova Scotia's Compliance and Special Investigations Unit.

On Tuesday, July 26, in the Lakeside area of Halifax Regional Municipality, two arrests were made and 118,000 contraband cigarettes, with a tax value of over $32,000, were seized.

A 60-year-old Lakeside man was held pending a court appearance that occurred on Wednesday, July 27 and was released with conditions. The second individual, a 44 year-old Lower Sackville man, was released at the scene on court related documents. Charges are pending under the Revenue Act, the Excise Act and the Criminal Code. Both are scheduled to appear in Halifax court on Sept. 27.

Service Nova Scotia, through the Audit and Enforcement section of the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Branch, is responsible for eliminating illegal tobacco in Nova Scotia by working with its law enforcement partners, and through education and enforcement.

Since 2006-07, the amount of illegal tobacco present in the province has decreased from 30 per cent of all tobacco consumed down to between five to 10 per cent.

Anyone with information regarding the sale and manufacturing of illegal tobacco is asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), text TIP202 and your message to 'CRIMES' (274637) or by using secure web tips at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca .