More than 1.5 million illegal cigarettes seized near Membertou
Posted Mar 11, 2026 05:23:56 AM.
Last Updated Mar 11, 2026 05:23:59 AM.
Police in Cape Breton seized a more than a million unstamped cigarettes during a wellness check.
The RCMP say on Saturday around 7 a.m., an officer with Northeast Traffic Services-Cape Breton (NETS-CB) noticed someone slumped over in the front seat of a Mercedes van parked at a gas station on Hwy 125 near Membertou.
Checking on the person, the officer observed illegal contraband in the cab of the van and arrested the driver.
A further search of the vehicle uncovered 160 cases of illegal tobacco, believed to be around 1.6 million cigarettes.
A 51-year old woman from Peterborough, Ontario was released on conditions but will face charges in court in June.
NETS-CB is an integrated unit consisting of officers from both the RCMP and Cape Breton Regional Police Service.
