Akwesasne and Hogansburg residents face contraband tobacco charges

(Cornwall, Ontario - December 5th, 2008) – A 24 year old male resident from Akwesasne, Ontario and a 22 year old female resident from Hogansburg, New York both face charges under the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped after an officer from the Cornwall Community Police Service stopped a vehicle in Cornwall, Ontario.

On December 4th, 2008, an officer observed a 2000 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicle that was on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario.

When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated. The vehicle then pulled over into a parking lot and the officer interacted with the driver.  The officer observed cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes inside the vehicle and contacted officers from the Cornwall RCMP Detachment to assist.

The RCMP officers seized 2,850 resealable bags of contraband cigarettes believed to have been manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada.  The vehicle was also seized.  The driver and the passenger were both arrested and released to appear at the Cornwall court on January 26th, 2009. The driver was also issued Highway Traffic Act tickets from the Cornwall Community Police officer for drive a motor vehicle with no license and drive a motor vehicle with no permit.  The driver was also issued a Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act ticket for fail to have an insurance card.

“The illicit tobacco trade presents a serious threat to public safety and health in Canada”, said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP. “According to recent threat assessments approximately 105 organized crime groups of varying levels of sophistication are currently known to be involved in the illicit tobacco trade.  Compounding the problem is that 69% are also involved in drug trafficking, mainly marihuana and cocaine, and/or weapons trafficking.  Furthermore, 30% of these groups are known to have violent tendencies”.