Six Cornwall residents nabbed with contraband;

July 12, 2008
Cornwall Standard-Freeholder

Six people from Cornwall were caught with either contraband cigarettes or bulk tobacco as officers of the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment - Valleyfield Office conducted an operation west of Vaudreuil on Highways 20 and 40.

With the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency the officers intercepted and searched five vehicles, leading to the seizure of 410,000 cigarettes and 2,290 bags of bulk tobacco worth close to $252,000.

The vehicles were also seized by the RCMP officers. The six suspects arrested could face charges under section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 for unlawful possession of a tobacco product that was not properly stamped.

The first vehicle, a Dodge Ram 1500, was driven by a 53-year-old male resident of Cornwall who was with a 35-year-old passenger also of Cornwall. They had in their possession 2,050 baggies containing 200 cigarettes each. The second vehicle, a 2000 Ford Explorer, was driven by a 43-year-old male resident of Cornwall with 45 bags of bulk tobacco weighing a total of 562.5 kilograms.

The officers later intercepted a 2001 Chevrolet Venture and a 2000 GMC Jimmy. The driver of the first vehicle was a 28-year-old female from Cornwall with 60 bags of bulk tobacco weighing a total of 750 kilograms.

The second vehicle was driven by a 21-year-old male who was found in possession of 34 bags of cut tobacco weighing 428 kilograms.

The last vehicle, a 1999 Ford Explorer, was intercepted on Highway 540, at Vaudreuil. The driver a 21-year-old female resident of Cornwall was transporting 45 bags of bulk tobacco weighing 558 kilograms.