RCMP say four Newfoundlanders recently appeared in court on charges related to the seizure of a significant amount of contraband cigarettes bound for Newfoundland and intercepted by police at the ferry terminal in North Sydney last year.
RCMP say 50-year-old Trent Smith was intercepted in a transport truck in Nova Scotia in March of 2024. Some 760,000 contraband cigarettes were seized with an estimated tax value of $250,000, approximately $30,000 cash and more than 3,000 methamphetamine pills destined for Newfoundland.
The following day police searched a C&D Transport warehouse in Deep Bight, Trinity Bay.
Photo via RCMP
Police seized more than 1.5 million contraband cigarettes, a quantity of methamphetamine pills, a quantity of cash, a 53-foot commercial trailer and a 27-foot cargo trailer.
Charges were laid against Trent Smith, 50-year-old Trevor Smith, and 78-year-old Chesley Smith—all of Clarenville, and 54-year-old Shawn Avery of Hillview.
The accused appeared in court on March 13, each slapped with numerous charges under the Criminal Code, the Excise Act and the Revenue Administration Act, including transporting unstamped tobacco, and distribution of unstamped tobacco.
They’re scheduled to return to court April 24.
