RCMP Press Release - link
(Cornwall, Ontario) On December 19th , 2006, at 9:00 p.m., officers from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service followed a 1999 Chrysler Intrepid from Cornwall Island in Akwesasne, Ontario to Cornwall, Ontario. Suddenly the vehicle pulled over and the driver attempted to flee on foot when the two Akwesasne Mohawk Police officers apprehended the driver. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle was loaded with contraband cigarettes. Officers from the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment were contacted and attended the scene to seize the smuggling vehicle and contraband cigarettes.
Located inside the vehicle were 600 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes representing a total of 120,000 illegal cigarettes that originate from the United States. Kenneth Simser, a 36 year old male resident of Sydney Street in Cornwall, Ontario, was held in custody for a Bail Hearing and was charged with several offences under the Criminal Code as well as 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 vehicle is a 31 year old female resident of Mountain, Ontario. Kenneth Simser was previously charged on August 30th, 2006 in Cornwall for possession of contraband cigarettes.
The RCMP, and its partners, both domestic and international, combat the illicit tobacco market through crime prevention, monitoring and enforcement. The RCMP recently co-hosted the 4th Tobacco Diversion Workshop, which included law enforcement representatives from Canada, the United States and as far away as Australia. These partnerships and workshops are vital to the progress and success in the fight against the contraband tobacco market. Continuing and embarking on joint ventures will further foster a strong alliance against illicit activities associated with the tobacco trade.