CORNWALL, ON, Dec. 5 /CNW/ - A 24 year old male resident from Akwesasne,
Ontario and a 22 year old female resident from Hogansburg, New York both face
charges under the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not
properly stamped after an officer from the Cornwall Community Police Service
stopped a vehicle in Cornwall, Ontario.
On December 4th, 2008, an officer observed a 2000 Ford Excursion sport
utility vehicle that was on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario. When the
officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated. The vehicle
then pulled over into a parking lot and the officer interacted with the
driver. The officer observed cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes inside
the vehicle and contacted officers from the Cornwall RCMP Detachment to
assist.
The RCMP officers seized 2,850 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 26th, 2009.
The driver was also issued Highway Traffic Act tickets from the Cornwall
Community Police officer for drive a motor vehicle with no license and drive a
motor vehicle with no permit. The driver was also issued a Compulsory
Automobile Insurance Act ticket for fail to have an insurance card.
"The illicit tobacco trade presents a serious threat to public safety and
health in Canada," said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP. "According to recent
threat assessments approximately 105 organized crime groups of varying levels
of sophistication are currently known to be involved in the illicit tobacco
trade. Compounding the problem is that 69% are also involved in drug
trafficking, mainly marihuana and cocaine, and/or weapons trafficking.
Furthermore, 30% of these groups are known to have violent tendencies".
For further information: Sgt. Michael Harvey, RCMP Cornwall Detachment,
(613) 937-2831
