INGLESIDE, ON, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - A 22 year old male driver and 21 year old
female passenger, both residents from Cornwall, Ontario face charges under the
Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped after
an Ontario Provincial Police officer stopped a vehicle in Ingleside, Ontario.
On December 5th, 2008, officers from the OPP were conducting the R.I.D.E.
program in Ingleside, Ontario when they observed a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
conduct a U-Turn to avoid the inspection. An officer stopped the vehicle on
County Road 18 and while talking to the driver, he observed resealable bags of
contraband cigarettes inside the vehicle. Officers from the Cornwall RCMP
Detachment were contacted to assist.
The RCMP officers seized 1,150 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 24th, 2009.
The driver also faces a Criminal Code charge for failing to comply with
conditions from a previous Undertaking.
"Members of organized crime groups are profiting from the illicit sale of
tobacco products", said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP. "The public who
purchase contraband tobacco are financing the groups illegal activities
including trafficking in drugs and firearms".
For further information: Sgt. Michael Harvey, RCMP Cornwall Detachment,
(613) 937-2831
