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Cornwall RCMP Detachment Seize 400,000 Contraband Cigarettes during Joint Law Enforcement Operation

CORNWALL, ON, June 13 - On June 4th, 2008, at 4:25 p.m., officers from the Cornwall RCMP Detachment observed a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix travel from Akwesasne, Ontario towards Cornwall. Working with their partners from the Ontario Provincial Police, the officers stopped the vehicle on Highway 138 near Monkland, Ontario. The RCMP officers seized 500 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes which represents 100,000 cigarettes worth $11,000. The driver, a 19 year old female resident of Hogansburg, New York was arrested by the RCMP for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. She was released and the investigation continues. The vehicle was returned to a vehicle rental company located in Cornwall, Ontario.

On June 4th, 2008, at 5:12 p.m., intelligence officers from the Canada Border Services Agency observed a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu travel from Akwesasne, Ontario towards Cornwall. Officers from the Ontario Provincial Police stopped the vehicle at a service station located on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario. The RCMP officers seized 500 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes which represents 100,000 cigarettes worth $11,000. The driver, a 25 year old female resident of Rooseveltown, New York, was arrested and will be charged by the RCMP for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. She was released and will appear at the Cornwall court on July 21st, 2008. The RCMP also seized the vehicle valued at $4,000.

Finally, on June 5th, 2008, at 11:52 a.m., intelligence officers from the Canada Border Services Agency observed a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero travel from Akwesasne, Ontario towards Cornwall. Officers from the Ontario Provincial Police stopped the vehicle on Cadeb Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario. The RCMP officers seized 1,000 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes which represents 200,000 cigarettes worth $22,000. The driver, a 19 year old female resident of Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario, was arrested and will be charged by the RCMP for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. She was released and will appear at the Cornwall court on July 14th, 2008. The RCMP also seized the vehicle valued at $6,175. All of the cigarettes seized during these investigations are believed to have been manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada.

"Law enforcement agencies at all levels, and several federal and provincial agencies play a role in enforcing laws and regulations in the illegal tobacco trade - namely, Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada and provincial health and revenue agencies," states Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP.