Fight brews over $34K in cash discovered during large seizure of cigarettes
The Nova Scotia government is seeking to claim $34,895 in cash that was discovered by police during a significant seizure of contraband cigarettes. The money was found in a pickup truck on Highway 104 in Antigonish County, where authorities uncovered 150,000 illegal cigarettes packed in boxes in the back of the vehicle. Samuel Peter Blakeley, 42, was one of the individuals charged in connection with the tobacco offences in May 2023.
Although the charges against Blakeley and his co-accused, Mihai Valentin Stoicheci, were later withdrawn due to a lack of evidence, the province is still pursuing the forfeiture of the cash under the Civil Forfeiture Act. In a recent court appearance via phone, Blakeley expressed his intention to fight for the return of the money, claiming that it belongs to him.
The cash seized by the RCMP includes various denominations, such as $100 bills, $50 bills, $20 bills, and $5 bills. It is currently being held by law enforcement pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. An affidavit from the arresting officer revealed that Blakeley had been linked to previous contraband tobacco cases, while Stoicheci had a history of fraud and drug offences.
Despite the withdrawal of charges against the accused individuals, Nova Scotia’s forfeiture laws allow for the potential seizure of assets believed to be associated with criminal activity. The case is scheduled to resume in court in April, with Stoicheci’s whereabouts currently unknown as he may be in Romania.
The outcome of this legal battle will determine whether the Nova Scotia government will be able to retain the seized cash or if it will be returned to Blakeley. The complexities of civil forfeiture laws and the criminal justice system will play a crucial role in resolving this contentious issue. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing case.
