The Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP Say Traffic Services West Stopped an Eastbound Vehicle and Trailer Seen Speeding Near Birchy Narrows, Seized 930,000 Unstamped Tobacco Products and Arrested a 56-Year-Old Bunyan’s Cove Man Who Is Charged Under the Excise Act (November 5, 2026)
A 56-year-old man from Bunyan’s Cove is charged under the Excise Act with possession of unstamped tobacco after RCMP Traffic Services West stopped an eastbound vehicle and trailer seen speeding on the Trans-Canada Highway near Birchy Narrows shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP said in a release published on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Police say officers observed signs of contraband tobacco trafficking during the stop and seized 930,000 unstamped tobacco products from the vehicle and the trailer. The force estimates the street value at $232,500, with an additional $348,750 in tax avoidance. The driver is unnamed.
Legal status: Charged. The charge has not been tested in court and the accused is presumed innocent.
The Stop and the Charge
The force says the stop happened shortly after 1 p.m. on November 2, when RCMP Traffic Services West stopped an eastbound vehicle and trailer observed speeding near Birchy Narrows. Police say the driver, a 56-year-old Bunyan’s Cove man, was arrested on Monday and taken into custody without incident. During a search of the vehicle and trailer, police say they located and seized 930,000 unstamped tobacco products.
The man is charged under the Excise Act with “possession of unstamped tobacco.” The force says he was later released from custody to appear in court in January 2027, that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are possible. The release’s headline speaks of more than 900,000 contraband cigarettes, while its text puts the seizure at 930,000 unstamped tobacco products. It estimates the street value at $232,500, with an additional tax avoidance of $348,750.
What the Force Says About Trafficking
Police say officers observed signs of contraband tobacco trafficking during the stop. The release asks anyone with information about the distribution of contraband tobacco in their community to contact police, and gives the RCMP tip line as 1-800-709-RCMP (7267). The only charge is the Excise Act possession charge, and the force links the case to no gang or criminal organization.
Charge and Court
- Accused: a 56-year-old man from Bunyan’s Cove, unnamed.
- Charge: one count under the Excise Act of “possession of unstamped tobacco.”
- Custody: arrested Monday, November 2 and taken into custody without incident; later released to appear in court in January 2027.
- Investigation: ongoing, with additional charges possible, the force says.
Timeline
- Monday, November 2, 2026, shortly after 1 p.m.The force says RCMP Traffic Services West stopped an eastbound vehicle and trailer observed speeding on the Trans-Canada Highway near Birchy Narrows, observed signs of contraband tobacco trafficking, seized 930,000 unstamped tobacco products and arrested the driver.
- Thursday, November 5, 2026The Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP publish a release, datelined Deer Lake, reporting the seizure and the Excise Act charge.
- January 2027The force says the accused is to appear in court.
Credited with the traffic stop and the seizure
Published the release and says the investigation is ongoing
Related Files
Sources
- Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP, “RCMP Traffic Services West seizes more than 900,000 contraband cigarettes during traffic stop,” November 5, 2026 — for the stop, the seizure and the charge — rcmp.ca
The accused is presumed innocent, and the charge has not been tested in court. The allegation is that of the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP, as published in the force’s release.
