The following was released today by the Ontario Provincial Police:
At approximately 5:30 a.m. on July 6, officers from the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) stopped a vehicle and trailer travelling eastbound on Highway 401 near Lancaster, Ontario.
Officers seized approximately 140 cases of contraband cigarettes. As a result of this investigation officers executed a search warrant at a residence located on County Road 2, Lancaster.
CRTF officers, with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), SDG OPP, OPP Forensic Services Unit, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau – Asset Forfeiture Unit and the RCMP Proceeds of Crime Unit- Kingston, seized:
In excess of $175,000 dollars concealed on the property
2 Long guns
Video surveillance equipment
Charged with careless storage of a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime contrary to the Criminal Code and having unstamped tobacco contrary to section 32(1) of the Excise Act are:
Gabrielle BERGERON, 38
Ryan FLARO, 32 also charged with Breach of undertaking, and
Ralph Maurice FLARO, 67
Claude LAPIERRE is charged with section 32 (1) of the Excise Act.
All were released on a promise to appear and are scheduled to appear on September 8, in Cornwall court.
If anyone has information about this incident or any other information, they area asked to contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or Crime Stoppers.