Moncton man arrested after illegal cigarettes seized

New Brunswick RCMP have seized 10,800 cartons of illegal cigarettes.

Authorities stopped a cube van near Salisbury in eastern New Brunswick for a vehicle infraction and found the cigarettes, police said.

The cube van was stopped on Wednesday night after it failed to stop at weigh scales, said RCMP Const. Michael White.

The driver was made to return to scales and wasn't able to provide any identification, White said.

The driver told officials that he was hauling a load of fish, White said.

A Moncton man was arrested at the scene, the RCMP said.

The vehicle was initially stopped as part of the Roadcheck program, which is a 72-hour inspection blitz conducted in partnership with the RCMP and the Public Safety Department.

More than 200 commercial vehicles have been inspected so far during the blitz, which is running from June 3-5.

The matter has now been turned over to the customs and excise section of the RCMP for further investigation.