A truck driver is facing charges and the possibility of a $3 million penalty after being caught with a large number of illegal cigarettes in a Manitoba traffic stop.

Manitoba RCMP stopped the semi on May 3, just outside of Brandon, Man., according to a release from the RCMP.

Following a discussion with the driver of the vehicle, an inspection of the load uncovered 350 cases of illegal tobacco, containing 3.5 million cigarettes.

Officers arrested the 36-year-old male driver, from Calgary, and took him into custody.

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The driver was later released on court-imposed conditions for court scheduled July 2, 2020, in Winnipeg and is facing charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for trafficking contraband tobacco, the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act (TAMTA) and the Excise Act, 2001. If convicted, the driver could face a mandatory triple tax penalty of over $3,000,000.00 under the TAMTA.

“We believe that this is one of the largest seizures of illegal tobacco from a traffic stop in Canada,” says Staff Sergeant Kyle McFadyen of the Manitoba RCMP’s Traffic Services.

“It really speaks to the importance of the Manitoba RCMP’s Roving Traffic Unit. This unit is comprised of officers with specialized training who work to identify potential criminals travelling on our roadways. The officers do this work as they conduct Highway Traffic Act enforcement.”

The investigation continues.