June 10, 2007
(Akwesasne, Ontario) On May 9th, 2007, at 2:32 p.m., an officer from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service stopped a 1996 Ford Windstar passenger van on White Road in Akwesasne, Ontario. As the van came to a stop, the driver, who is described as a Caucasian male, fled on foot into a heavily wooded area. Police searched the wooded area for the suspect and were unable to locate him. Further investigation of the van revealed that it contained 1,150 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes. This represents 230,000 cigarettes that were manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada worth $25,300. Officers from the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP detachment attended the scene to seize the smuggling van and the illegal cigarettes.
The last known registered owner of the van is a male resident of McDonald Road in Akwesasne, Ontario. The RCMP are continuing this investigation and focussing on the organized crime groups who have been using these similar smuggling routes. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in partnership with other law enforcement and government agencies, is working to put a stop to this activity. If you have questions about illegal tobacco products, witness illegal transactions, or believe that you are a victim of unfair competition, contact the RCMP or your local police service of jurisdiction. All information provided will be treated confidentially.
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Sgt. Michael Harvey
(613)937-2831
Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment
Chief of Police Lewis Mitchell
Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service
(613)575-2340