Two men have pleaded guilty to separate charges related to illegal tobacco and possessing cannabis for distribution.

Thirty-nine-year-old Clinton John Francis of Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation was arrested near Allardville in September with 137,400 unstamped cigarettes. He pleaded guilty in February and was fined $178,502 plus a $2,000 surcharge.

In October 2022, the Department of Justice and Public Safety searched the Hub City, a Moncton business on Pacific Avenue.

Forty-year-old Donald Mathew Scott of Fredericton was subsequently charged with possessing cannabis for distribution. He pleaded guilty on February 27 and was fined $15,000 plus a victim surcharge of $4,500.

Peace officers have investigated and shut down 23 illegal cannabis dispensaries during this fiscal year.

More than 1.2 million contraband cigarettes have also been seized, with 46 people facing related charges.