Release
Department of Justice and Public Safety
August 05, 2026
FREDERICTON (GNB) – Four people were arrested and more than 4.3 million contraband cigarettes were seized following three separate investigations conducted by Justice and Public Safety peace officers between May 15 and June 15.
The investigations, carried out with support from policing partners, also resulted in the seizure of cannabis products, a firearm, vehicles and other evidence.
“These seizures demonstrate the important work being done by our peace officers and law enforcement partners to disrupt the illegal tobacco trade and protect New Brunswick communities,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin. “They also reinforce why our government is investing in dedicated tobacco enforcement resources to strengthen our ability to combat this illegal activity.”
On May 15, Justice and Public Safety peace officers, working with the RCMP, conducted a safety checkpoint on the Trans-Canada Highway in the Saint-Jacques district of Edmundston. Officers intercepted a truck towing a cargo trailer and arrested a 32-year-old man from Ontario.
A search of the vehicle and trailer resulted in the seizure of:
• 3,510,000 unstamped cigarettes
• a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 truck
• an enclosed cargo trailer
On June 13, Justice and Public Safety peace officers, with support from the Miramichi Police Force, Quebec provincial police and the Ontario Ministry of Finance, arrested a 36-year-old man and a 42-year-old man from the Miramichi region as part of an ongoing contraband tobacco investigation.
Officers intercepted a truck towing a cargo trailer and arrested the driver and passenger. A search of the vehicle and trailer resulted in the seizure of:
• 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
On June 15, Justice and Public Safety peace officers, with support from the RCMP, arrested a 37-year-old man from the Fredericton region as part of an ongoing contraband tobacco investigation.
Officers intercepted a truck and arrested the driver. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of:
• a 2024 GMC truck
• 150,013 unstamped cigarettes
• a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition and other weapons
Those arrested are facing charges under the Excise Act, the Criminal Code of Canada and the Tobacco Tax Act.
Justice and Public Safety peace officers have seized about 8.27 million contraband cigarettes this year. The combined federal and provincial tax value of this product is about $3.72 million.
“These investigations are about much more than illegal cigarettes,” said Gauvin. “By seizing contraband tobacco, along with firearms and other illegal items, our peace officers and law enforcement partners are making New Brunswick safer.”
“It is not only illegal to sell contraband cigarettes, but it is also illegal to purchase contraband tobacco under the Excise Act, which can result in fines and criminal charges,” said Assistant Commissioner Matco Sirotic, commanding officer of the RCMP in New Brunswick. “When you buy illegal cigarettes, you may also be supporting organized criminal networks who are trying to establish themselves in your community. Working together with our law enforcement partners is important to discouraging this and other illegal activity in our province.”
The health impact of contraband cigarettes is significant, as they:
• Undermine community safety.
• Increase youth access and the risk of early nicotine addiction.
• Expose users to unregulated products that may contain unknown and potentially harmful contents.
• Undermine New Brunswick’s smoking cessation programs.
• Increase the risk of smoking-related illness.
• Place additional pressure on the health-care system.
Residents are encouraged to report the trafficking of contraband tobacco or cannabis, or any other criminal matters, to law enforcement. Information can be shared with the Department of Justice and Public Safety by calling 1-877-826-2122 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or through Secure Web Tips at the Crime Stoppers website.
05-08-26
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Media Contact(s)
Jade Emmanuel, communications, Department of Justice and Public Safety, [email protected].