Police seize 275.3 kilos of Bulk Fine Cut Tobacco

Cornwall, Ontario - On January 16th, 2008, at 8:08 p.m., an officer from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service observed a 2000 Chevrolet Venture van traveling from Cornwall Island in Akwesasne, Ontario towards Cornwall, Ontario.  As a result of a Highway Traffic Act investigation, the officer stopped the van on Water Street in Cornwall.  When the officer approached the van he could smell a strong odor of tobacco.  RCMP officers from the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment- Cornwall Office were contacted and attended the scene.  The RCMP officers seized 15 garbage bags that contained a total of 275.3 kilograms of bulk fine cut that was manufactured in the United States.  The tobacco was not properly packaged or stamped and is valued at $24,777.

The driver and registered owner of the van, a 26 year old female resident of Delormier Road in Akwesasne, Ontario was arrested and will be charged by the RCMP under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 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 February 25th, 2008.  The officer from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service issued the driver tickets under authority of the Highway Traffic Act for failing to surrender an insurance card, failing to surrender a driver’s license and failing to surrender a permit for a motor vehicle.  The van, which is valued at $5,650, was also seized by the RCMP.

The RCMP values its partnership with the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and we continue to work together to provide a safe environment for the citizens in the communities we serve.