Feb 27, 2007

(Cornwall, Ontario) On February 23rd, 2007, at 9:36 a.m., officers from the Ontario Provincial Police Hawkesbury Detachment stopped a 2001 Pontiac Montana passenger van on Highway 417 near the Quebec border for a Highway Traffic Act violation. The driver, who was not in possession of a valid Ontario driver’s licence, admitted to the officer that he was in possession of contraband cigarettes. Further investigation revealed that the van was loaded with cases of contraband cigarettes covered by a blanket. The Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP detachment was contacted and officers attended the scene to seize the contraband cigarettes and smuggling van.

Located inside the van were 1,250 re-sealable bags of white filtered contraband cigarettes. This represents a total of 250,000 cigarettes that were manufactured in the United States. The driver, a 39 year old male resident of Second Street East in Cornwall, Ontario was arrested under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product that was not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. The 43 year old female passenger who resides with the driver was also questioned. This investigation is ongoing. The registered owner of the van is a 35 year old male resident of Seventh Street East in Cornwall, Ontario.

Later in the day at 3:30 p.m., an officer from the Ontario Provincial Police Long Sault Detachment stopped a 1998 Ford Windstar van on Highway 138 north of Sand Road for an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. As the officer approached the driver’s side window, he observed cases of contraband cigarettes inside the passenger area of the van. The Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment was contacted and officers attended the scene to seize the contraband cigarettes and smuggling van. The Ontario Provincial Police arrested the driver for the Criminal Code Offence of Breach of Probation.

Located inside the van were 1,250 re-sealable bags of white filtered cigarettes. This represents a total of 250,000 cigarettes that were manufactured in the United States. The driver, a 44 year old male resident of Palace Street in Ottawa, Ontario will face charges under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product that was not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. The registered owner of the van is a 76 year old male resident of Mayview Avenue in Ottawa, Ontario.

It is common for police officers to observe cases of contraband tobacco in plain view upon stopping a vehicle for investigation. The Cornwall area continues to be the supply centre for millions of illegal cigarettes making their way to Canadian communities. All of these cigarettes are manufactured in the United States and no duties or taxes are paid when they reach Canadian soil. Smuggling is a way for Organized Crime groups to finance many of their illegal operations.

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Sgt. Michael Harvey
(613)937-2831
Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment