A 29-year-old Valleyfield, Que. woman is facing charges under the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped following a roadside seatbelt check on International Road in Akwesasne.
When members of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service stopped the woman shortly before 11 p. m. on July 13, they observed several cardboard boxes containing cigarettes and noted the smell of tobacco coming from inside the woman's vehicle. Members of the RCMP's Cornwall Detachment attended and seized 190,000 cigarettes in 950 re-sealable bags. The cigarettes are estimated to be worth $20,900, and are believed to have been manufactured in the United States. The woman is scheduled to appear in Cornwall court on Aug. 21.
Meanwhile, a 42-year-old Kahnawake, Que., man is facing charges under the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped following a traffic stop on Highway 401 in South Glengarry by a member of the OPP.
On July 14 the OPP stopped a driver of a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, and while questioning the driver -- who did not have a driver's licence -- the officer noted the strong smell of tobacco coming from inside the truck.
The RCMP attended and seized a total of 120,000 cigars worth an estimated $122,670.
In addition to the RCMP charges, the driver of the pickup faces charges from the OPP for operating a motor vehicle while prohibited. He will appear in Alexandria court on Sept. 10 on the RCMP charges.
Police did not release the names of the accused in either incident.