25 crime groups here

November 20, 2009 Cornwall Standard Freeholder

More than two dozen criminal organizations are now involved in the cigarette smuggling trade in Cornwall and Akwesasne, a local police official said.

According to RCMP Sgt. Michael Harvey, there's 105 known criminal organizations dealing in illicit tobacco across Canada, and 25 of them now have a "permanent presence" in Cornwall and Akwesasne.

Although he wouldn't divulge specifics, Harvey said the organizations range from small "mom and pop" operations to higher-profile groups like motorcycle gangs and national and international crime groups, and some of them are also involved in the movement of illicit drugs, firearms, currency and even people.

The reason for the high organized crime presence in the area is pretty simple -- most of the contraband cigarettes that enter Canada originate from the U. S. portion of Akwesasne, Harvey said.

"We know the gateway is here," he added.

The police officer said some of the crime groups recruit Akwesasne people to help them with their cause given their familiarity with the local geography.

GETTING ALONG

At one time, the criminal organizations would have competed with one another, but that's no longer the case, Harvey added.

"There's just too much money to be made," he said. "They used to fight over it (the territory), but not anymore."

Harvey said they're "taking down" people who work for the crime groups on a daily basis, but it takes much longer to gather the evidence necessary to reach the top of the crime groups.

Judging by the latest statistics, illegal cigarettes are continuing to cross the border in high volumes, and much of it is ending up right on Cornwall's waterfront.

Traditionally, vehicles would pick up contraband tobacco on Cornwall Island, but the makeshift customs port on Brookdale Avenue has made it more difficult for smugglers to transport their product across the bridge.

As a result, police have seen a growing trend of cigarette shipments being dropped off by boat -- often after dark -- at spots along Cornwall's waterfront and points further east.

From there, the product is loaded into waiting vehicles and carted off.

Last Friday, OPP officers noticed suspicious activity near a riverfront home in South Glengarry.

When the officer approached, two males fled on foot. RCMP officers arrived and seized 750 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes and two vehicles.

One of the two men who fled the scene was later located, and the 24-year-old Cornwall man was charged and released to appear in court at a later date.

Later that same day, police were notified about a series of boxes hidden in a bushy area along the river in South Glengarry. Police seized 750 bags of illegal cigarettes.

On Wednesday night, RCMP witnessed two people loading boxes of cigarettes into a vehicle from a boat near the Cornwall shoreline. Police seized 1,350 bags of cigarettes and a 35-year-old Cornwall man was charged in connection with the incident.

The boat operator fled the scene.

Cornwall Deputy Police Chief Danny Aikman said officers on general patrol are being more diligent in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity along the shoreline in light of the recent smuggling activity on the riverfront.