Recent seizures indicate that organized crime continues to expand illegal activities such as contraband smuggling and the distribution of drugs and weapons.
"The frequency of large-scale and multi-commodity seizures are increasing," said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP on Thursday.
There were five seizures by police over three days during the past week.
* RCMP charged a St. Andrews youth and a 37-year-old city man with possession of a tobacco product not stamped on Wednesday around 10 p. m. after 500 cartons of Discount brand cigarettes were found in an Oldsmobile which was leaving a pathway from the St. Lawrence River.
* Almost 24 hours earlier, RCMP garnered 550 re-sealable bags of contraband smokes that were abandoned on a South Glengarry dock when suspects fled on a boat upon the officers' approach. The investigation continues.
* Eleven re-sealable bags of cigarettes were found by RCMP who had attended a city residence. The investigation continues.
* There were two major seizures on Highway 401 on Nov. 26. At 10:54 p. m. OPP stopped a 2001 GMC Yukon and, with assistance from the RCMP, came away with 1,700 bags of contraband. The vehicle's driver was charged under the Excise Act, but a passenger managed to get away after fleeing the vehicle, and after the best efforts of the OPP dog unit.
* An OPP officer got a strong whiff of tobacco when stopping a 2002 Impala in South Glengarry. RCMP were called and they assisted in the seizure of 15 garbage bags containing 147 kilograms of fine cut tobacco. A 43-year-old city man was charged for possession of tobacco not properly stamped.