Tobacco Crime Rings Up In Smoke

An Investigation on tobacco smuggling by the Surete du Quebec, in collaboration with its Canadian and U.S. partners, made several arrests on Wednesday April 30 as part of the largest investigation of contraband tobacco ever undertaken in North America. The amount of fraud is actually valued at $30 million.

Twenty-eight people were arrested, one the alleged head of a network, Nicola Valvano, a member of the Italian Mafia in Montreal. About thirty searches took place mainly in the greater Montreal area.

The survey suggests that the Mafia bought tobacco in the United States and illegally imported it into Canada via the Lacolle border crossing or Akwesasne to sell to illicit plants in Kahnawake. According to police, members of aboriginal organized crime groups helped the Mafia import the tobacco and sell it on the territory of Kahnawake.

According to Inspector Michel Pelletier, head of the Directorate of Fighting Crime against the State of the Surete du Quebec, ''This transaction demonstrates a commitment to the fight against the sources of loose tobacco, particularly to promote the integrity of Quebec's tax system and recover revenue owed to the government.'' For its part, special agent James Spero, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Buffalo, has insisted that the arrests have brought an end to not only the activities of an international smuggling tobacco operation, but also money, guns and other goods. He added that by tackling these criminal groups, the authorities ensure the safety of Canadians and Americans. He reiterated the commitment to continue to work in partnership with leaders on both sides of the border.

During the investigation, significant seizures were made: More than 40,000 kg of tobacco worth $7 million on the black market, which would have resulted in tax losses of $10 million to governments if cigarettes were distributed, nearly $450,000 in cash from illegal transactions, more than 1,300 cannabis plants and one 9mm pistol.

More than 400 police were mobilized for this operation, in addition to the employees of the Canada Border Services Agency. Besides members of the Surete du Quebec, participating members include the RCMP and Montreal police services, Akwesasne, Longueuil, Laval, Richelieu-Saint Lauren, Chateauguay, St. Jean and Roussillon.

This survey was conducted using the program ACCESS Tobacco, in collaboration with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Allegedly those arrested were: Nicola Valvano, Franco Albanese, Steven Petrilli and Alessandro Barone of St. Leonard. Georges Fayad and Antonio Mercogliano of Laval, Anthony David Jr., Tracy-Ann David-Doggett, Fallon David, Alexander Christopher Thompson and David Kyle Bennedict of Akwesasne, Yanis Yotis, Adam Vincent Greig, Nighi Ahn Quan Nguyen, Van Tam Tran, Thi Ut Tran, Joseph Ortenza, Giuseppe Fracasso, David Seguin and Raja Tariq Mehmood of Montreal, Kanenriio Ross and Michael Rossetti, of Kahnawake, Marcello Lopez of St. Laurent, Mahir Malki of Bois des Filions and Marion Hart of Dundee.

Those still being sought are: Sylvain Bertha (Riguad), Juan Carmona (Repentigny), Carlo Colapelle (Anjou), Ahmed Perillo El Armaoui (St. Leonard) Davary Bauersfeld (Kahnawake) and Duong Van Truong (Montreal).