RCMP in Olds say a traffic stop on Highway 2 earlier this month led to the seizure of $60,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and charges against a man from Spruce Grove.

According to a June 16 release, police responded to a report of an erratic driver heading southbound on the highway around 9 a.m. on June 8. Witnesses reported the vehicle was speeding at over 150 km/h, nearly sideswiping another car, passing unsafely and weaving into other lanes.

Olds RCMP located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Officers observed untaxed cigarettes in plain view and arrested the driver, a 37-year-old man. He is facing charges of frauds upon government and possession of untaxed tobacco.

The man, who has not been named because the charges have not yet been sworn in court, was released on an appearance notice. He is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on August 25.

“Olds RCMP remains fully committed in building safer communities by working in partnership with our community, as well as through investigative and enforcement efforts to achieve this goal,” said Sgt. Jamie Day, detachment commander of Olds RCMP. He also thanked Didsbury RCMP for their assistance in the investigation.