Police in New Brunswick seized more than eight million illegal cigarettes this year. This massive haul surpasses last year’s total and represents a $3.72 million loss in provincial tobacco tax revenue.

According to a report from CBC News, a dedicated team of investigators is actively disrupting organized crime networks across the province.

The Cost of Contraband

The provincial government invested $1.2 million this year to put more resources on the ground. The Safer Communities Section operates under the Department of Justice and Public Safety. This team includes 15 investigators stationed in Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton, Edmundston, Miramichi and Bathurst.

Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin highlighted the financial scale of these illegal operations during a recent announcement in Fredericton.

“There is a lot of money in this,” Gauvin said. “We do not know what the ceiling is, we just know there is more.”

Gauvin noted the sale of illegal cigarettes directly links to larger organized crime networks operating in New Brunswick.

A Massive Month for Seizures

Investigators saw a massive spike in activity during the spring. Between May 15 and June 15, three major investigations resulted in the seizure of more than four million illegal cigarettes. This one month alone accounted for over $1.1 million in lost tax revenue.

On May 15, peace officers and the RCMP seized 3.5 million unstamped cigarettes during a safety checkpoint on the Trans Canada Highway in Saint Jacques. Officers arrested a 32 year old Ontario man and seized his truck and cargo trailer.

Less than a month later, officers intercepted another truck and trailer. They arrested two men from the Miramichi region and seized 739,000 illegal cigarettes. This bust also uncovered dried cannabis, THC edibles and vape cartridges.

On June 15, a search of a truck in the Fredericton area led to the arrest of a 37 year old man. Officers seized 150,013 unstamped cigarettes along with a shotgun and ammunition.

How You Can Spot Illegal Tobacco

Police rely on public tips to track down contraband shipments. Fredericton police Chief Gary Forward serves as president of the New Brunswick Association of Chiefs of Police. He emphasized the importance of community awareness.

“We have had citizens call in when they see large amounts of shipments being dropped off at either residential areas or to businesses,” Forward said.

You can easily identify illegal cigarettes. Look for colourful packaging that lacks a large health warning or an official government stamp. If you spot these products in your community, reporting them helps police disrupt local criminal activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many illegal cigarettes have police seized in New Brunswick this year?

Police have seized more than eight million illegal cigarettes so far this year.

How much tax revenue does the province lose from these illegal sales?

The seized cigarettes represent a loss of $3.72 million in provincial tobacco tax revenue.

How can I identify an illegal cigarette package?

Illegal cigarettes typically feature colourful packaging and do not include a large health warning or an official government stamp.

Who investigates illegal tobacco sales in New Brunswick?

The Safer Communities Section investigates these crimes. This team of 15 investigators operates under the Department of Justice and Public Safety.