Hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes seized near Onslow: N.S. RCMP

A seizure of cigarettes is pictured near Onslow, N.S. (RCMP)

Hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes and hundreds of pounds of cannabis were seized during two traffic stops on Highway 104 near Onslow, N.S., last Thursday.

RCMP Traffic Services first pulled over a rental van around 1 p.m.

Officers seized approximately 400 pounds of cannabis and 2,000 vapes, according to an RCMP news release.

The driver, a 41-year-old man from Toronto, will face charges under the Cannabis Act and the Excise Act.

Police say he will also face charges under the Nova Scotia Revenue Act related to the possession of unstamped tobacco.

He was released and will appear in Truro provincial court at a later date.

About two hours later, an RCMP officer saw an eastbound pickup truck hauling a trailer.

Police say the officer stopped the vehicle to check the driver’s documents.

The driver was arrested for an alleged offence under the Excise Act.

Police say they also found and seized 70 cases of illegal tobacco containing about 700,000 cigarettes during a search of the trailer.

The driver, a 42-year-old man from Fredericton, will face charges under the Criminal Code, the Excise Act and the Nova Scotia Revenue Act.

He was released pending a future court appearance.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page