Illegal Tobacco Seized in Halifax Regional Municipality

A significant amount of illegal tobacco has been taken off the streets following a traffic stop by members of the Halifax District RCMP along with Service Nova Scotia's Compliance and Special Investigations Unit.

On Monday, Dec. 18, one arrest was made in Bedford, along with the seizure of a vehicle and 110,000 contraband cigarettes. The estimated provincial tax value of the cigarettes is more than $30,000 and federal tax value is $23,100.

A 28-year-old man from Ottawa has been charged under the Nova Scotia Revenue Act, Excise Act 2001 and the Criminal Code. He was remanded into custody until Jan. 5, when he will reappear in court.

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.

Anyone with information about the sale and manufacturing of illegal tobacco is asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers.

Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced. If police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash reward between $50.00 and $2,000.