RCMP seize illegal cigarettes

The Hamilton Spectator

CORNWALL (Dec 6, 2008)

The RCMP says 14,900 cartons of contraband cigarettes seized at a truck inspection station Tuesday were bound for Six Nations.

A 31-year-old Hagersville man and another 53-year-old man from Ohsweken on Six Nations face charges under the Excise Act for possession of tobacco products not properly stamped. Their names were not released.

"We believe this shipment was being transported from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec to Six Nations located in southern Ontario," RCMP Sergeant Michael Harvey said in a statement Thursday.

Police say the load is worth about $327,000.

RCMP in Cornwall said the pair were stopped by Ministry of Transportation (MTO) inspectors after the westbound truck drove past the commercial vehicle inspection station on Highway 401 at Lancaster.

MTO officers pursued the truck, pulled it over and ordered the driver back for inspection.

Officers from the Cornwall RCMP detachment were contacted and seized 1,950 cartons of Discount brand cigarettes: 6,250 cartons of Stones brand king size cigarettes: 1,250 cartons of Smugglers brand king size cigarettes and 5,450 cartons of DK's brand cigarettes.

The truck was returned to a rental company in Brantford.