Thirteen people arrested for possession of contraband tobacco

Between January 25th, 2010 and March 3rd, 2010, the Cornwall RCMP Detachment working with law enforcement partners from the Canada Border Services Agency, Cornwall Community Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and the Ministry of Revenue arrested thirteen people for possession of contraband tobacco.  The interception of twelve vehicles by the RCMP and our partner law enforcement agencies resulted in significant seizures in the following regions:

8 vehicles in Cornwall, Ontario

3 vehicles in South Glengarry, Ontario

1 vehicle in Morrisburg, Ontario

There was also one person stopped on foot with contraband cigarettes in Cornwall.  These interceptions permitted the arrest of thirteen individuals (6 from Akwesasne, Ontario, 5 from Cornwall, Ontario, 2 from St. Laurent, Quebec) most of whom will be facing charges of possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001.

Items Seized include:

17,650 assorted re-sealable bags of contraband cigarettes (cartons)

750 cartons of cigarellos

19.5 kilograms of fine cut tobacco