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RCMP Alert: Over 1.6 Million Illegal Cigarettes Seized During Highway 104 Traffic Stop Near Amherst

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RCMP traffic stop on Highway 104 near Amherst, Nova Scotia, leading to seizure of about 1.63 million unstamped cigarettes from a van with Ontario plates

Nova Scotia RCMP traffic officers seized approximately 1.63 million unstamped cigarettes from a van stopped on Highway 104 near Amherst.

RCMP Alert: Over 1.6 Million Illegal Cigarettes Seized During Highway 104 Traffic Stop Near Amherst

Community Safety Overview

On March 15, 2026, officers from RCMP Northwest Traffic Services, supported by Northeast Traffic Services, carried out a traffic stop on Highway 104 near Amherst, Nova Scotia. A search of the vehicle, a Mercedes van bearing Ontario licence plates, led to the seizure of a massive load of suspected contraband tobacco.

Investigators located and seized 163 cases of unstamped cigarettes, estimated at approximately 1.63 million individual cigarettes. A 69-year-old woman from Lower Sackville was safely arrested at the scene and is now facing multiple charges related to the possession of unstamped tobacco products. She has been released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court in June.

Official RCMP Incident Details

According to the official report from the Nova Scotia RCMP, the seizure is part of an ongoing investigation into illegal tobacco distribution. This traffic stop comes shortly after another significant seizure of illegal tobacco on March 7 involving a different vehicle.

Key facts from the March 15 traffic stop near Amherst:

The accused is expected to face charges under the following legislation, all relating to the possession of unstamped or illegal tobacco:

The woman was released by police on conditions after her arrest and is required to attend a future court appearance in June 2026. Specific charge wording and court details will proceed through the justice system.

This stop is directly linked to broader enforcement efforts against illicit tobacco. The Nova Scotia Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division is actively assisting investigators. In addition, the Ontario Provincial Police Police-led Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team is working with the Nova Scotia RCMP, as both of the recent traffic stops involved vehicles registered in Ontario.

The RCMP note that this seizure follows an earlier incident on March 7, in which 160 cases of illegal tobacco were removed from another vehicle. That earlier seizure is being investigated as part of the same wider enforcement effort against contraband tobacco transport and distribution routes.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, large contraband tobacco seizures like this one on Highway 104 near Amherst are an important public safety issue for the wider Nova Scotia community. Illegal tobacco sales can undermine tax-funded community services, create hidden cash flows that may connect to other criminal activities, and expose consumers to unregulated products. These enforcement actions also reflect how criminal networks can operate across provincial boundaries, similar to patterns seen in smaller communities across Canada such as those analyzed in our crime and safety data for Tabusintac 9, New Brunswick.

Residents are encouraged to stay alert to unusually cheap or unmarked tobacco products and to avoid purchasing unstamped cigarettes, as doing so may indirectly support organized crime and tax evasion. If you see suspicious bulk movements of tobacco or other goods, especially late at night or in remote areas, consider noting details like vehicle descriptions and locations and reporting them to local police or the RCMP non-emergency line. While there is no immediate danger to the public in this case, community awareness around contraband markets is an important part of building safer neighbourhoods and supporting legitimate businesses and tax-funded services.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.

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