Ontario woman arrested after over 1M illegal cigarettes seized in Cape Breton: RCMP

A wellbeing check led to the seizure of more than a million unstamped cigarettes in Cape Breton, according to the RCMP.

Police say an officer conducted a wellbeing check after seeing a person in a Mercedes van slumped over their steering wheel while parked at a gas station on Highway 125 near Membertou, N.S., around 7 a.m. on Saturday.

RCMP says the officer conducted the check due to concern for the person’s safety and possible impairment.

While speaking to the driver, police say the officer no longer suspected impairment but observed illegal contraband in plain view in the van’s cabin. The driver was then arrested for an offence related to the Excise Act.

During a search of the vehicle, police say they located 160 cases of illegal tobacco which is believed to total around 1.6 million cigarettes.

The driver, a 51-year-old woman from Peterborough, Ont., will face charges under the Criminal Code, Excise Act, and Nova Scotia Revenue Act.

The woman was released on conditions pending a court appearance scheduled for June.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page