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New Brunswick seizes 4.3 million illegal cigarettes in May-June
New Brunswick peace officers, assisted by the RCMP, Miramichi Police, Quebec provincial police and the Ontario Ministry of Finance, seized more than 4.3 million unstamped cigarettes during three investigations in May and June 2026. The operations also resulted in the seizure of cannabis products, firearms, vehicles, cash and other evidence, and led to the arrest of four men aged 32, 36, 42 and 37 from Ontario, Miramichi and Fredericton.
Provincial officials said the contraband cigarettes are valued at about $4.3 million and represent roughly $1.1 million in lost tax revenue. The total provincial seizure of contraband tobacco in 2026 now stands at about 8.27 million cigarettes. The Liberal government allocated $1.2 million in its spring budget to fund a dedicated contraband‑enforcement team, a move praised by Justice and Public Safety Sgt. Jonathan Breau. Assistant Commissioner Matco Sirotic warned that purchasing illegal cigarettes supports organized crime, while Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin stressed the need to disrupt the illegal tobacco market.
Entities
Jonathan Breau · Matco Sirotic · New Brunswick (province, Canada) · Robert Gauvin · Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] New Brunswick peace officers seized more than 4.3 million illegal cigarettes between May and June 2026. dailyguardian.ca · www.acadienouvelle.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The seized cigarettes are valued at about $4.3 million and represent $1.1 million in lost tax revenue. www.acadienouvelle.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] New Brunswick has seized a total of about 8.27 million contraband cigarettes in 2026. dailyguardian.ca · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Four individuals were arrested in connection with the contraband cigarette seizures. dailyguardian.ca
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Assistant Commissioner Matco Sirotic said buying illegal cigarettes supports organized crime. dailyguardian.ca
- [● 2 SOURCES] The New Brunswick government allocated $1.2 million in its spring budget to fund contraband tobacco enforcement. www.acadienouvelle.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin emphasized the importance of disrupting illegal tobacco sales. www.acadienouvelle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The operations also seized cannabis products, firearms, vehicles, cash and other evidence. dailyguardian.ca · www.acadienouvelle.com