Joint RCMP and CBSA investigation leads to RCMP seizure of 300,000 contraband cigarettes

RCMP Press Release

CORNWALL, ON, Aug. 19 - A 40 year old and a 38 year old female residents of Cornwall, Ontario are facing charges under the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped, after a joint investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP. On August 17th, 2008 at 7:50 p.m., an RCMP officer stopped a 2000 Ford F-150 pick-up truck on Marleau Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario and observed cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes inside the pick-up truck. RCMP officers seized 1,250 resealable bags of contraband cigarettes as well as 250 resealable bags of Discount brand cigarettes. This represents 300,000 cigarettes estimated to be worth $33,000. It is believed that the cigarettes were manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada. The 2000 Ford F150 pickup truck worth an estimated $7,675 was also seized. The driver and passenger were released and will both appear at the Cornwall court on September 22nd, 2008.

"All tobacco products must be sold by a licensed retailer" said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP. "Like anything else, if it seems too good to be true, it likely is and people are encouraged to avoid these situations."