Major Tobacco Bust + Senior Assaulted in Robbery

Issue #512

Author

Carla McNeil
February 19, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ⛅️ Weather - A mix of sun and clouds

 😜 Rain Joke - Did the rain ruin the date? 💑 ☔️

 🗓️ New West Events - Plenty of options to enjoy

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Christine P.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Major Tobacco Bust + Senior Assaulted in Robbery

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Thank you, Christine - you’re awesome!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 11.7 2015 - Record low -6.5 2018

New round, new mystery 👀

The Tin Man is back today.
Visit Facebook and Instagram to see the photo and drop your guess.

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

February 19, 2026

🀄️ Mahjong Funday at Starlight Casino – 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

📝 Word Play with Alan Hill – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎭️ Bee's Knees Burlesque at The Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

February 20, 2026

🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🖼️ Open Studio at Arrieta Art Studio – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

📚️ French Reading Buddies (6-9 years) – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

👪️ Thrive Parents Peer Support for Parents – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🍸️ Cocktails and Conjuring at the Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

February 21, 2026

☕️ Men's Breakfast at New West Community Church – 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👪️ Runoff Race! at FRDC – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

💑 Intro to Non-Monogamy Workshop – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🛍️ New West Craft at River Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

💼 Franchising As A Business Decision – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

🎭️ New West Improv's improv comedy jam! – 2:15 PM to 4:00 PM

🎩 Cabaret of Wonders – 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

Image via Facebook

The New Westminster Police Department’s Street Crime Unit has arrested two people and seized a significant quantity of illicit tobacco following an investigation into the sale of contraband cigarettes.

In the summer of 2025, officers — supported by several NWPD specialty units — executed search warrants at a residence in Coquitlam, a business in New Westminster, and multiple vehicles. During the searches, police located approximately $980,000 in cash and 1,100 cartons of contraband cigarettes.

Police say removing illegal tobacco from circulation helps protect the community and supports local businesses that comply with regulations and sell legal products. Authorities are encouraging residents who suspect the sale of illegal tobacco in New Westminster to contact the police department.

Officials also note that profits from the illegal tobacco trade are often linked to organized crime activities, including human trafficking, firearms trafficking, and drug smuggling. In addition to criminal connections, unregulated tobacco products pose public health risks because they are not subject to regulatory controls or inspection standards. The illegal trade also results in lost tax revenue that would otherwise support public programs and services.

Photo courtesy of NWPD

New Westminster Police are investigating after a 90-year-old woman was assaulted during a daytime robbery in the city’s Queensborough neighbourhood.

On February 15 at approximately 1:45 p.m., police received a 9-1-1 call from a passerby who was assisting an elderly woman in distress. Officers responded to the 1200 block of Dan Lee Avenue, where they learned the woman had been approached by a stranger while walking in the area.

The man allegedly pulled jewelry from her arm, causing injury, and pushed her to the ground before fleeing. Police provided support to the victim and canvassed the area for CCTV footage as part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators describe the suspect as a man about 5’11” tall with a heavy-set build, weighing approximately 260 pounds. He was reportedly wearing a beige hooded sweater, grey pants, black shoes with white soles, and a surgical mask at the time of the incident.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to officers to call 604-525-5411 and reference file number 26-2730.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

☔️ Did the rain ruin the date? 💑 

 🎵 No, it upgraded the soundtrack. 🎹 

Groan O' Meter

What do you say?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Meme of the Day

Brought to you by New West Spotlight Daily Digital Newsletter

What’s faster than word of mouth? New West Spotlight! It keeps you updated on what is happening locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in New West who might also enjoy reading the New West Spotlight?

Click to Share the newsletter

Shall we continue with a daily meme? Vote Today.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Want to see your local business in the spotlight?
We’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of New West Spotlight, where thousands of New West residents discover what’s new and local.

Not a business owner but have a favorite local spot?

Tell us all about it - email us at [email protected]

What did you think of today’s issue? (anonymous)

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.