July 25, 2007
Akwesasne, Ontario - On July 21st, 2007, at 4:00 p.m., officers from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service stopped a 1996 Chevrolet Astro van on International Road located on Cornwall Island in Akwesasne, Ontario. The driver failed to signal his turn at the busiest intersection on the Island after travelling from the east end. As the officers approached the driver, they observed a blanket covering cases of contraband cigarettes. Officers from the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP detachment were contacted and attended the scene. The RCMP officers searched the van and seized 1,300 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes that were manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada. This represents 260,000 contraband cigarettes worth $28,600 that were not properly packaged or stamped and were destined to be sold illegally. The smuggling van worth $1,500 was also seized.
The driver and registered owner of the van, a 55 year old male resident of Chiefs Road in Akwesasne, Ontario was arrested and the investigation continues by the RCMP under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001.
The RCMP and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, in partnership with other local, national and international law enforcement agencies, are working hard to target the organizations behind the growing trend of the illicit tobacco trade which is a serious public safety issue.
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Sgt. Michael Harvey
Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment
613-937-2831
Chief of Police Lewis Mitchell
Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service
613-575-2340