North Vancouver RCMP say they’ve arrested one person and seized hundreds of packs of contraband cigarettes.

Police began investigating in February after officers noticed “suspicious activity consistent with the sale of illicit tobacco” near a business on the 1500 block of Lonsdale Avenue, according to a release from the RCMP.

On May 15, officers searched a home on the 700 block fo West 20th Street. There, they seized 104 full cartons and 247 packs of black market cigarettes, including fake government stamps.

The suspect was released pending a later court date.

“The sale and purchase of illicit tobacco is illegal, unsafe, and often linked to organized crime, including drug and weapons trafficking," said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson. “It’s not something people al

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