FREDERICTON — Officers in New Brunswick arrested four people and seized more than 4.3 million contraband cigarettes within one month, following three separate investigations. The Department of Justice and Public Safety released details about the seizures, which happened between May 15 and June 15, during a news conference on Wednesday. Cannabis products, a firearm, vehicles and other evidence were also seized as part of the ongoing investigations into contraband tobacco. Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin said the seizures, which amount to about $1.1 million in lost tax revenue, are part of police and government efforts to disrupt the illegal tobacco trade. “When you have 4.3 million contraband cigarettes seized, there’s a lot of money in this and money attracts crime. So, it goes together,” said Gauvin. “And for us to be able to disrupt criminal activity, organized crime, this is why we thought this was an important investment.” The New Brunswick government allocated $1.2 million in its 2026-27 budget to form a dedicated contraband tobacco enforcement team. The department estimates its peace officers have seized roughly $8.27 million worth of contraband cigarettes this year, with a combined federal and provincial tax value of about $3.72 million. “It’s a lot of tax revenue for the provincial retailers,” said Gauvin. “So that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.” Truck intercepted in Edmundston On May 15, Justice and Safety peace officers, along with the RCMP, conducted a safety checkpoint on the Trans-Canada Highway in Edmundston. They intercepted a truck towing a cargo trailer and arrested a 32-year-old man from Ontario. Officers searched the vehicle and trailer and seized the following: • 3,510,000 unstamped cigarettes • a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 truck • an enclosed cargo trailer Two Miramichi-area men arrested Officers also intercepted a truck towing a cargo trailer in the Miramichi area on June 13. They searched the truck and trailer and seized the following: • a 2024 Ford F-150 truck • 739,000 unstamped cigarettes • 1.5 kilograms of dried cannabis • 65 packages of THC edibles • a number of cannabis pre-rolls, other drugs and vape cartridges They arrested the driver and passenger, a 36-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, both from the Miramichi region. The Miramichi Police Force, Quebec provincial police, and the Ontario Ministry of Finance assisted Justice and Safety peace officers with the investigation and arrest. Shotgun, other weapons seized On June 15, officers intercepted a truck and arrested the driver, a 37-year-old man from the Fredericton area. The RCMP assisted with the arrest. They searched the vehicle and seized the following: • a 2024 GMC truck • 150,013 unstamped cigarettes • a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition and other weapons The Justice and Safety Department says the four men are facing criminal charges, as well as charges under the Excise Act and Tobacco Tax Act. Illegal to sell and buy contraband tobacco The RCMP is reminding residents that, not only is it illegal to sell contraband cigarettes, it’s also illegal to buy them. “When you buy illegal cigarettes, you may also be supporting organized criminal networks who are trying to establish themselves in your community,” said assistant commissioner Matco Sirotic, commanding officer of the RCMP in New Brunswick. “Working together with our law enforcement partners is important to discouraging this and other illegal activity in our province.” When investigating whether contraband tobacco might be an issue in a community, police say they look for the following: Activity related to contraband tobacco or cannabis can be reported to the Department of Justice and Public Safety by calling 1-877-826-2122. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Anna Mandin
