RCMP brass announced the largest ever seizure of cocaine and illegal cigarettes in this province yesterday.

And while the illicit white powder often steals the headline, police say the impact of contraband smokes adds up, too.

Project Bourbon netted about $5 million worth of seized goods—with illegal cigarettes accounting for half that value. The rest included drugs, shotguns, vehicles, a forklift, transport truck, a $40,000 watch and about $150,000 in cash.

The police work began in February of last year, leading to a dramatic arrest on a Goulds parking lot this past September, followed by raids of homes on Cape Pine Street, Thomas Street and Critch’s Path.

Eight people were arrested and released, with formal charges and more arrests expected early in the new year.

RCMP Insp. Dave Emberley says there’s concern that the illegal cigarette trade is not taken seriously enough.

“There are a lot of people who have a cavalier attitude toward contraband tobacco,” he said. “But we’ve shown that we believe it’s organized crime groups that are involved, and such groups are into everything, not just tobacco, but cocaine, you name it. Ultimately this doesn’t just hurt retailers, it hurts everybody in the province.”

It’s believed the cocaine came from British Columbia while the tobacco originated in Ontario.