(South Stormont, Ontario -Monday May 4th, 2009) – Three area residents face charges for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped under authority of the Excise Act 2001 as a result of a joint law enforcement operation with officers from the Canada Border Services Agency and the Cornwall RCMP Detachment.
On April 29th, 2009, an officer from CBSA observed people moving cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes into a tractor trailer that was parked at a residence on Hunter’s Road in Osnabruck Centre. When RCMP officers arrived at the residence they stopped a 1997 International 920 cab hooked onto a 1990 GDRA Van trailer before it left the residence. Officers opened up the trailer to find it to be completely full of contraband cigarettes. RCMP officers seized 1,314 boxes containing 65,700 cartons or resealable bags of contraband cigarettes. There were various brands seized including Signal Menthol, Signal Full Flavor, Signal Lights, Discount Lights, Discount Full Flavor, DK’s Full Flavor, Putter’s Lights, clear resealable bags of full flavor and light flavoured cigarettes. The RCMP also seized the tractor trailer cab and trailer. A 54 year old male resident of Cornwall, a 38 year old male and a 19 year old male both residents from Long Sault, Ontario were arrested and will appear at the Cornwall court on July 7th, 2009. RCMP officers also seized 125 marihuana plants located in a shed at the residence and officers are continuing this part of the investigation.
"This is the largest tobacco seizure the Cornwall Detachment has made in recent history", said Sgt. Michael Harvey from the RCMP. "We believe the brands of cigarettes seized were manufactured in the United States and smuggled by criminal organizations to this location to load up the tractor trailer. The cigarettes were then to be delivered west of this region to be sold illegally."
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For further information:
Sgt. Michael Harvey
RCMP Cornwall Detachment
(613) 937-2831
