Nearly 300,000 illegal cigarettes seized in Nova Scotia

RCMP and Service Nova Scotia seized nearly 300,000 illegal cigarettes in Lower Sackville, N.S. on Wednesday.

The tobacco is said to have a provincial tax value of almost $80,000 and a federal tax value of just over $60,000.

READ MORE: Cocaine, cash & contraband tobacco seized by N.S. RCMP

“Decreasing the sale and consumption of illegal tobacco is a core part of our work,” Mark Furey, minister of Service Nova Scotia said in a news release.

“Contraband tobacco takes tobacco tax revenue away from public services Nova Scotians rely on, compromises public safety through links to organized crime and undermines provincial health objectives.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Decreasing the sale and consumption of illegal tobacco is a core part of our work," Mark Furey, minister of Service Nova Scotia said in a news release.</p><p>"Contraband tobacco takes tobacco tax revenue away from public services Nova Scotians rely on, compromises public safety through links to organized crime and undermines provincial health objectives."

A 53-year-old man from Dartmouth was arrested and is now facing several charges. He is set to appear in court Thursday.

Since 2006-07, the province says the amount of illegal tobacco in Nova Scotia has decreased from 30 per cent of all tobacco consumed to between 5-10 per cent.

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