RCMP seizures

The following details are seizures from November 13th to November 19th, 2009.

A total of 2,850 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes, 2 vehicles and arrested two people:

On November 13th, 2009, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police observed suspicious activity near a residence located by the St. Lawrence River in South Glengarry, Ontario.  When officer approached, two unidentified males fled on foot.  The officers located cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes on the shore of the St. Lawrence River and contacted the Cornwall RCMP Detachment to assist. RCMP officers seized 750 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes, a 2007 Chevrolet Impala and a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche.  During the investigation the K-9 Unit from the Ontario Provincial Police was used to locate one of the males who fled the scene and he was arrested.  The 24 year old male from Cornwall, Ontario faces a charge for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped. He was released to appear at court at a later date.

Later on November 13th, 2009, RCMP officers were advised that there were cardboard boxes containing contraband cigarettes in a bushy area near the St. Lawrence River in South Glengarry, Ontario.  RCMP officers seized 750 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes.  The investigation continues.

On November 18th, 2009 at 9:36 pm, RCMP officers from the Cornwall Detachment observed two suspects off loading cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes from a boat that was in the St. Lawrence River near shore in Cornwall, Ontario.  Officers arrested a 35 year old male resident from Cornwall, Ontario who had loaded a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado with the cardboard boxes of cigarettes.  The boat operator fled the scene.  RCMP officers seized 1,350 re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes.  The driver faces a charge for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped.  He was released to appear at court at a later date.

“You can become better informed on the problem of the illicit tobacco trade in Canada by reading the RCMP’s Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy located at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/tobac-tabac/tobacco-tabac-strat-2008-eng.htm”, said Sgt. Michael Harvey from the RCMP.  “This is a National problem and law enforcement alone will not solve the problem”.