The RCMP arrested four people and seized 2,400 cartons of contraband cigarettes and three vehicles in a number of recent incidents.
On Oct. 7, a Cornwall police officer saw a mini-van near the St. Lawrence River, approached it and saw a man run into some nearby bushes.
He was quickly found and detained after several boxes of cigarettes were found in the van.
The RCMP later arrived to arrest the 57-year-old man from Grenville-Sur-La-Rouge for possession of tobacco product not properly stamped and to seize 900 cartons of Montagne filter brand cigarettes, 500 cartons of Discount brand cigarettes and a 1994 Chevy Astro van.
On Oct. 9, an officer from the Ontario Provincial Police stopped a 1994 Chrysler LHS on Highway 401 eastbound in South Glengarry.
While the officer was verifying documents, he detected a strong odour of tobacco and saw a package of contraband cigarettes.
Cornwall RCMP officers seized 350 cartons of Discount brand cigarettes, 200 resealable bags of contraband cigarettes and the vehicle.
The 51-year-old male driver from Saint-Eustache, Que., and the 53-year-old male passenger from Pointe-Calumet, Que., were arrested and face charges for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001.
The passenger also faces a charge for possession of a prohibited weapon as he was found with a can of Sabre Capsicine dog repellant. They will appear in court at a later date.
On Wednesday, officers from Canada Border Services Agency at the Cornwall port of entry inspected a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck and located contraband cigarettes in the rear cargo area of the truck. RCMP officers contacted to assist seized 450 resealable bags of contraband cigarettes as well as the truck.
The 21-year-old male driver, from Akwesasne, was arrested and faces a charge for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001.