Content created:2007-08-01
Cornwall, Ontario - On July 25th, 2007, at 11:35 p.m., an officer from the Cornwall Community Police Service stopped a 1995 Chevrolet pick-up truck on Highway 401 eastbound near the Summerstown exit after observing it traveling from Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario with its New York license plate affixed with only one screw. The driver could not produce any registration for the truck nor did the driver know the name of the registered owner. While interacting with the driver, the officer observed bags of loose tobacco in the back seat of the truck. The driver, a 20 year old male resident of Mohawk Lane in Hogansburg, New York, was placed under arrest for possession of unstamped tobacco. The officer also issued the driver several tickets under authority of the Highway Traffic Act including misuse of license plates. The driver was released and officers from the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment were contacted to continue the investigation.
The RCMP seized 444.5 kilograms of fine cut tobacco located in 20 large garbage bags inside the entire passenger and cargo area of the truck. It is believed that this tobacco was smuggled into Canada from the United States and has a value of $40,005. This tobacco was not properly stamped or packaged and was ready to be used to manufacture contraband cigarettes. The truck is registered to a 44 year old female resident of Hogansburg, New York and is worth $4,900. No charges have been laid and the investigation continues.
This is the second seizure of loose fine cut tobacco in the recent weeks. Today organized crime groups are operating in collaboration/cooperation with each other. Some groups specialize in illicit manufacturing; other groups may be involved in transporting, while another group launders the money.
- 30 -
Sgt. Michael Harvey
Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment
613-937-2831