Four individuals, 50-year-old Trent Smith, 50-year-old Trevor Smith, 78-year-old Chesley Smith, each of Clarenville and 54-year-old Shawn Avery of Hillview, recently appeared in court to answer to a number of charges laid by Clareville RCMP as part of a 2024 contraband tobacco investigation.

In late February, 2024, Clarenville RCMP and RCMP officers from Nova Scotia's Northeast RCMP Traffic Services, along with Service Nova Scotia, entered into a joint investigation.

On March 2, 2024, Trent Smith was intercepted in a transport truck at the Ferry terminal in North Sydney. He was found in possession of 760,000 contraband cigarettes, an estimated tax value of $250,000, approximately $30,000 cash and over 3,000 methamphetamine pills, all of which were destined for Newfoundland and Labrador.

In continuing with the investigation, the next day, on March 3, 2024, Clarenville RCMP, with the assistance of RCMP NL's East District General Investigation Section and Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant at C&D Transport's warehouse in Deep Bight.

The following items were located and seized:

• 1,518,000 contraband cigarettes with estimated tax value of over $493,000.00
• A quantity of methamphetamine pills
• A quantity of cash
• A 53-foot commercial trailer
• A 27-foot cargo trailer

Following a thorough examination of the evidence obtained throughout this investigation, formal charges were laid by RCMP NL against Trent Smith, Trevor Smith, Chesley Smith and Shawn Avery, on February 6, 2025.

The accused appeared in court on March 13, 2025, each charged with a number of offences under the Criminal Code, Excise Act, 2001, and the Revenue Administration Act, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, transporting unstamped tobacco products, possession of unstamped tobacco products, possession for the purpose of sale unstamped tobacco products and distribution of unstamped tobacco products. The next court date is scheduled to take place on April 24, 2025.

Many individuals tend to turn a blind eye on the illicit tobacco trade, being unaware of organized crime group affiliations. Profits from the illegal tobacco trade are often used to fund other illegal activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.

Illicit substances, such as methamphetamine, are highly addictive and can pose a significant threat to the health and safety of users and the general public. RCMP NL is committed to fighting drugs and organized crime happening in our province and encourages anyone with information on these illegal activities to contact their local police or Crime stoppers.

Background:

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2024/northeast-rcmp-traffic-services-cape-breton-charge-man-drug-trafficking