AMPS Assists in Large Scale Smuggling Ring Bust

(Cornwall, Ontario – June 20, 2013) – Last week, the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) – Serious and Organized Crime team (SOC) and partners announced the results of a project that dismantled alleged criminal organizations involved in the trafficking of marihuana within Canada and the smuggling of contraband tobacco between Canada and the United States.

Project O-TITAN was led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) - CRTF - Serious and Organized Crime team (SOC) in partnership with: Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS), Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Ontario Ministry of Finance.

Project O-TITAN was initiated in 2012 and initially targeted individuals involved in the smuggling of contraband tobacco from the United States to the Cornwall area, and its distribution to various locations in Eastern Ontario. Through investigation, the police identified five separate groups operating together as required in the smuggling of contraband tobacco, and in the trafficking of marihuana.

During the course of the investigation, the CRTF-SOC team seized 11,615 cartons of contraband cigarettes, over 100 pounds of marihuana, more than $52,000 in Canadian currency, four (4) firearms, seventeen (17) vehicles and two (2) boats which were involved in the commission of the offences. Two marihuana grow operations were also dismantled, and the RCMP’s Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC) has obtained a court order to restrain a Cornwall residence which was used as a marihuana grow operation.

“This week, following a long-term investigation, a criminal organization was dismantled resulting in the arrests of involved individuals, the seizure of contraband tobacco, illicit drugs, weapons, vehicles and a home” stated Insp. Kimpan, officer in charge of the Cornwall Regional Task Force - Serious and Organized Crime team. “I wish to commend the dedicated men and women who had a part in this investigation. The success of this investigation underscores what can be accomplished when law enforcement works cooperatively towards eliminating the threat of organized crime within our cities”.

As a result of this investigation, 37 individuals from Cornwall, Bainsville, Ottawa, Prescott, South Glengarry, South Stormont, the Province of Quebec, and from the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, are facing numerous charges relating to criminal organization, smuggling of contraband tobacco, drugs, guns, forgery, and the proceeds of crime.

The following individuals were charged:

1)    Blake TRUDELL, 54 years old, of Cornwall, Ontario;

2)    Michael MORENCY, 24 years old of South Glengarry, Ontario;

3)    Mark LAMOUREUX, 48 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

4)    Stéphane BRISSON, 28 years old, Cornwall, Ontario;

5)    Ryan LAPIERRE, 23 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

6)    Josh GIBEAU, 25 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

7)    Kevin WALKER, 41 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

8)    Timothy WOODS, 41 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

9)    Bradford LAUZON, 38 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

10)  Steve JOHNSON, 27 years old of Akwesasne, Ontario;

11)  Luc WHITE, 47 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

12)  Scott TRUDELL, 38 years old of South Stormont, Ontario;

13)  Casey FRAAS, 18 years old of Bainsville, Ontario;

14)  Josh LAFFIN, 32 years old of Akwesasne, New York;

15)  Chad LAFFIN, 31 years old of Akwesasne, New York;

16)  Robert MARTINEAU, 45 years old of Morrisburg, Ontario;

17)  Robert BRUN, 50 years old of Ottawa, Ontario;

18)  Lloyd PILON, 66 years old of Ottawa, Ontario;

19)  Gladys MULLIGAN, 40 years old of Ottawa, Ontario;

20)  Lynn MEAGHER, 46 years old of Ottawa, Ontario;

21)  Todd YOUNG, 39 years old of Ottawa, Ontario;

22)  David MARSHALL, 47 years old of Prescott, Ontario;

23)  Cory FLYNN, 42 years old of Prescott, Ontario;

24)  Danielle JUBY, 36 years old of Prescott, Ontario;

25)  Miranda LETCHER, 18 years old of Prescott, Ontario;

26)  Christian SAUMIER, 18 years old of Prescott, Ontario;

27)  Sonia BOUCHER, 44 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

28)  Deborah FRANCIS, 50 years old of Akwesasne, Ontario;

29)  Joshua FRANCIS, 24 years of old Akwesasne, Ontario;

30)  Lynn LABRECQUE, 45 years old of Les Coteaux, Quebec;

31)  Robin FLORES, 29 years old of St-Zotique, Quebec;

32)  Donny CAMPEAU, 37 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

33)  Mike THOMPSON, 33 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

34)  Lam Tung LA, 51 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

35)  Quach Ngoc LAN, 51 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

36)  Nathan RILEY, 23 years old of Cornwall, Ontario;

37)  Quoc Vu BUI, 37 years old of St-Hubert, Quebec