A 27-year-old Ontario man has been fined nearly $170-thousand dollars in connection with a seizure of illegal tobacco in the Edmundston area. 

On the morning of November 3, members of the New Brunswick RCMP Tactical Traffic Enforcement Unit stopped a vehicle during a check stop on the TransCanada Highway in Saint-Jacques. Police say a search of the vehicle led to the seizure of more than 113-thousand illegal cigarettes. Two men were arrested at the scene and released on recognizance.

Aniss Samer of Kitchener, Ontario appeared in Edmundston Provincial Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to two charges under the Tobacco Act and one charge under the Excise Act. Samer was fined $169,756.80.

Police say charges against a 45-year-old man, also of Kitchener, Ontario, were dropped.

Anyone with information regarding the sale, purchase or transportation of illegal tobacco is asked to contact the RCMP or local police. Information can also be provided anonymously through New Brunswick Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

More From