Regional Task Force Seizes 2,500 Bags of Contraband Cigarettes During a Traffic Stop

News Release

(Cornwall, October 3, 2006) On September 29th , 2006, at 10:40 p.m.,
members of the Ontario Provincial Police stopped a 2002 GMC Sierra pick-up
truck during a Highway Traffic Act violation on Cornwall Centre Road
at Highway 138 in South Stormont, Ontario. While questioning the driver,
the officer could smell a fresh odour of tobacco. Upon further investigation,
the driver admitted to be in possession of contraband cigarettes. Officers
from the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment were contacted to
seize the illegal cigarettes and smuggling truck.
Located inside the truck were 2,500 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes.
Each bag contains 200 cigarettes which is equivalent to a carton. The
value of the illegal cigarettes is $55,000. The male driver, a 26 year
old resident of Marlborough Street in Cornwall, Ontario was arrested
and will be charged under section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 (unlawful
possession of a tobacco product that was not stamped in accordance with
the provisions of the Excise Act 2001). The truck is owned by a 23 year
old female resident of Recreation Road in Akwesasne, Ontario. In 2005,
the registered owner was charged for possession of contraband tobacco
and was the owner of another vehicle seized with contraband tobacco.
The drivers may be paid a substantial amount of money to transport smuggled
tobacco in the short term, but will be subject to a criminal record and
heavy fines by both the Federal and Provincial Governments in the long
term. It is always the smugglers at the lower level of the criminal organization
who pay the price so that the hierarchy of the same organization can
profit.

-30-
For information :
Sgt. Michael Harvey
(613)937-2800 Ext. 293
Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment

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Regional Task Force Seizes 2,500 Bags of Contraband Cigarettes During a Traffic Stop

News Release

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