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Contraband smokes bust

By DOUG HEMPSTEAD, Ottawa Sun

Last Updated: 16th December 2009, 7:41pm

Ottawa police’s street crime unit and the Ontario Ministry of Revenue’s SIU wrapped up a one-month contraband tobacco trafficking investigation with the arrest of two Ottawa men.

They were arrested Monday on Dell St. in Bells Corners after a search warrant was executed at a home on Richmond Rd. between Holly Acres and Bayshore.

Police say investigators found 790 cartons of contraband cigarettes with a street value of more than $23,000. They also found .8 of a gram of crack cocaine.

William McRae, 55, and Robert Martineau, 41, face various charges under the Ontario Tobacco Tax Act.

McRae is also charged with possession of crack cocaine.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 613-236-1222 ext. 5351, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477.