It wasn't official until now, but the Cornwall Regional Task Force has another partner in the fight against smuggling and other crimes near the U.S.-Canada border.
Seven months after the return of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) -- which is made up of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Cornwall Community Police Service and the Ontario Ministry of Revenue -- the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has joined the CRTF to enforce Canadian law along the borders, interdict the flow of contraband and investigate illegal activities related to contraband smuggling and to gather criminal intelligence.
"We already play an important role in the Cornwall community," said CBSA regional director general Denis Vinette. "As a full-fledged member of the CRTF, we hope to increase our presence and visibility and assist the CRTF partners in protecting our community from smuggling and other criminal activity."
On January 18, the CRTF got back together as a response to contraband smuggling in the area tripling since it was disbanded in 2000.
As a full-fledged member of the CRTF, CBSA officers will also provide the task force with intelligence-based expertise in order to identify and intercept contraband cigarettes and suspected smugglers.
"We are pleased to have the CBSA as partners in our efforts to address and respond to the concerns communicated to us by all area communities regarding contraband smuggling and related crimes," said OPP Det.-Insp. Mike Bickerton of the Criminal Investigation Branch. "We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the CBSA for some time and the added resources will certainly be an asset."
The CBSA will also assist with stopping and prosecuting individuals suspected of human smuggling and trafficking, as well as other serious border-related criminal.
Other agencies such as Public Prosecution Services Canada and Provincial Prosecutions continue to support the CRTF.
CRTF officers will continue to concentrate on the identification and disruption of organized criminal activities in the area which include human smuggling and trafficking, drugs, guns, tobacco and other related offences such as extortion and corruption.
Despite the increase in resources, CRTF officials say they need help to protect the community.
"Residents need to report smuggling and suspicious incidents immediately so that they may be investigated and charges laid to help deter further illegal acts in this community," read a statement from the CRTF.
In an emergency situation, residents are asked to call 911.
To provide the police with information, call the police or Seaway Valley Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.