RCMP Traffic Stop Uncovers 1 Million Illegal Cigarettes in Goffs

Community Safety Alert for Nova Scotia

On the afternoon of May 9, 2026, officers with RCMP Southeast Traffic Services – Metro stopped a speeding pickup truck on Highway 102 in Goffs, Nova Scotia. What began as a speeding investigation led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of a massive load of suspected contraband tobacco and a quantity of cannabis.

During the roadside investigation, police discovered that the vehicle’s license plate did not match the truck, the vehicle was not insured, and the driver’s licence was suspended. Further checks and observations raised concern about illegal tobacco in the vehicle, combined with a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside the cab. The subsequent search led to the seizure of approximately 1,000,000 unstamped cigarettes and a small quantity of cannabis, and both occupants were taken into custody.

Official RCMP Incident Details

According to the official RCMP report, the incident unfolded as follows:

• On May 9, 2026, at about 4:25 p.m., an officer was proactively patrolling Hwy. 102 in Goffs when a southbound Chevrolet Silverado was observed travelling above the posted speed limit.
• The officer initiated a traffic stop on the Silverado.
• During checks, the officer determined:
  • The license plate did not correspond to the vehicle.
  • The truck was uninsured.
  • The driver’s licence was suspended.
• As the investigation continued, the officer became suspicious the vehicle was carrying illegal tobacco products, and a strong odour of cannabis was detected from inside the cab.

Arrests and Seizures

• The driver, a 70-year-old man from Bear River, and the passenger, a 49-year-old man from Weymouth, were both arrested for offences related to tobacco and cannabis.
• A search of the Silverado resulted in the seizure of:
  • 5,000 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, totaling approximately 1,000,000 cigarettes.
  • A small quantity of cannabis.
• The Chevrolet Silverado was seized under the Excise Act, and an application is being made for its forfeiture.
• Both men were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court at a later date.

Legislation and Potential Charges

The men are expected to face multiple charges under federal and provincial legislation, including:

• Offences under the Excise Act related to the possession of unstamped tobacco.
• Offences under the Revenue Act in connection with the contraband cigarettes.
• Criminal Code–related offences tied to the unstamped tobacco, as identified by investigators.
• Offences under the Cannabis Control Act for unlawfully transporting cannabis.
• Additional charges for the driver under the Motor Vehicle Act, including the issues related to the mismatched licence plate, lack of insurance, and suspended driver’s licence.

The investigation remains ongoing, with Audit and Enforcement Officers from the Department of Service Nova Scotia working alongside the RCMP to assess the financial and regulatory aspects of the seizure.

RCMP File Number: 26-71902

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident highlights how routine traffic enforcement on major corridors like Highway 102 can uncover serious contraband operations that impact tax revenues, community safety, and the regulated tobacco and cannabis markets. Large shipments of unstamped cigarettes are often tied to broader illicit networks, and similar patterns can be tracked across different regions using crime and safety data, such as the localized statistics we provide for communities like Fruitvale crime and safety trends. While this case did not involve direct threats to motorists at the time of the stop, the combination of a suspended driver, uninsured vehicle, and significant illegal cargo presents a clear risk to the public and the integrity of legal markets.

Residents of Nova Scotia are encouraged to stay attentive on highways and in their neighbourhoods. If you see vehicles driving erratically, heavily loaded without clear reason, or engaging in suspicious stops and transfers, consider providing a detailed report to local police or Crime Stoppers (when safe to do so). Never intervene directly. Your observations—such as licence plate details, vehicle descriptions, and time and location—can play a crucial role in supporting traffic enforcement and disrupting contraband activity, helping to keep communities safer and better informed.

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.