Over 327,000 illegal cigarettes seized in Saint John

More than 327,000 illegal cigarettes were seized in Saint John last week.

Two suspects were arrested and then released with a promise to appear in court.

The operationNov. 16 was carried out with assistance from the RCMP, Saint John and KennebecasisValley police and the Canada Border Services Agency, said a news release Thursday from the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The government estimated the tax value of the 327,121 seized cigarettes at $72,800. The release said the province loses $13 million a year in tax revenue to sales of contraband tobacco.

Two vehicles and $45,000 in cash werealso seized in the operation, the release said.