Aug 24, 2007
(Cornwall, Ontario) On August 9th, 2006 and August 15th, 2006 members of the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachments Cornwall and Valleyfield office as well as partners from the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Regional Detachment - Ontario Provincial Police, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police, and the Sûreté du Québec seized a total of 6,800 re-sealable bags and cartons of contraband cigarettes worth $149,600 and arrested eight people.
On August 9th, 2006, at 6:30 a.m., members of the Sûreté du Québec stopped a 1994 Dodge Ram pick-up truck bearing Ontario plates in the Vaudreuil-Dorion area in Quebec. Located in the truck were 2,500 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes worth $55,000. The 24 year old male driver, a resident of Hogansburg, New York, faces charges under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 (unlawful possession of a tobacco product that was not stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Excise Act 2001) and charges under the Tobacco Tax Act. The truck is registered to a 31 year old female resident of Kahnawake, Quebec.
On the same date at 8:30 a.m., the Akwesasne Mohawk Police stopped a 1998 Montana Van on Cornwall Island in Akwesasne, Ontario after a short pursuit. Located inside the van were 1,000 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes worth $22,000. The RCMP were contacted to seize the cigarettes and van. Sohahiio Boots, a 24 year old male who did not provide an address, was charged under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 (unlawful possession of a tobacco product that was not stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Excise Act 2001) and was held for a Bail Hearing. Also charged was Kristine Barnes-Jacobs, an 18 year old resident of Kahnawake, Quebec. The vehicle was registered to a 46 year old resident of Akwesasne, Ontario.
On August 15th, 2006, at 11:28 p.m., members of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police stopped a 2005 Ford Focus bearing Ontario plates on International Road in Akwesasne, Ontario. Located in the vehicle were 700 cartons of DK brand contraband cigarettes worth $15,400. The RCMP were contacted to seize the illegal cigarettes and car which has a value of $13,100. The driver, a 25 year old female resident of North Park Street in Belleville, Ontario and the passenger, a 21 year old male resident of Bridge Street in Napanee, Ontario, were arrested and face charges under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 (unlawful possession of a tobacco product that was not stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Excise Act 2001). The registered owner of the vehicle is a 51 year old male from Palace Road in Napanee, Ontario.
On that same date at 11:30 p.m., members of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Regional Detachment - Ontario Provincial Police stopped a 1996 Ford F-150 pick-up truck on County Road #2 in South Glengarry, Ontario. Located in the truck were 2,600 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes worth $57,200. Members of the RCMP were contacted to seize the cigarettes and the truck. The driver, a 25 year old male resident of County Road #2, Summerstown, Ontario was arrested and faces charges under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 (unlawful possession of a tobacco product that was not stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Excise Act 2001). Also arrested were the passengers, a 26 year old male resident of County Road #2, Summerstown, Ontario and a 19 year old male resident of Buckshot Road, Akwesasne, Ontario. The truck is registered to an automobile dealership in Cornwall, Ontario.
The Central St. Lawrence Valley Regional Task Force reminds citizens that the organized criminal groups involved in the smuggling and sales of contraband cigarettes are often involved in other criminal activities including drug smuggling. Purchasing illegal contraband cigarettes puts more dollars in the pockets of criminals.
-30-
Sgt. Michael Harvey
(613)937-2800 Ext. 293
Central St.Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment