Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Stop a Vehicle which leads to the seizure of 121,200 Cigarettes by the Cornwall RCMP Detachment

June 17, 2008
RCMP

AKWESASNE, ON, June 17 - On June 13th, 2008 at 6:39 a.m., an officer from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service stopped a 2000 Hyundai Elantra on International Road northbound in Akwesasne, Ontario. When the officer was questioning the driver he could smell a strong odour of tobacco and he also observed clear re-sealable bags of cigarettes inside the vehicle. Officers from the Cornwall RCMP detachment were contacted and seized 606 re-sealable bags of cigarettes which represents 121,200 cigarettes worth $13,332. It is believed that these cigarettes were manufactured in the United States.

The driver and registered owner of the vehicle, a 23 year old male resident of Pardo Street in Pointe-Claire, Quebec was arrested and will be charged by the RCMP for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. He was released and will appear at the Cornwall court on August 11th, 2008. The vehicle, which is valued at $3,325, was also seized by the RCMP. The driver will also be charged by the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service for trespassing on an Indian Reserve under authority of the Indian Act as well as failing to surrender a driver's licence under authority of the Highway Traffic Act.

"We will work together to ensure that our communities remain safe from any suspicious activity," states Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP. "Those who disobey the laws will face charges that can lead to a criminal record or substantial fines."